A SELECTIVE MICROFILM EDITION
PARTV
(1911-1919)
Thomas E. Jeffrey
Senior Editor
Brian C. Shipley
Theresa M. Collins
Linda E. Endersby
Editors
David A. Ranzan
Indexing Editor
Janette Pardo
Richard Mizellc
Peter Mikulas
Indexers
Paul B. Israel
Director and General Editor
Sponsors
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
National Park Service, Edison National Historic Site
New Jersey Historical Commission
Smithsonian Institution
A UPA Collection from
00 LexisNexis-
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Edison signuuire used wilh permission ol'McGniw-Edison Company
Thomas A. Edison Papers
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
endorsed by
National Historical Publications and Records Commission
18 June 1981
Copyright © 2007 by Rutgers, The State University
All rights reserved. No part of this publication including any portion of the guide and
index or of the microfilm may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form by any means— graphic, electronic, mechanical, or chemical, including photocopying,
recording or taping, or information storage and retrieval systems— without written permission of
Rutgers, The State University ofNew Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
The original documents in this edition are from the archives at the Edison National
Historic Site at West Orange, New Jersey.
ISBN 978-0-88692-887-2
THOMAS A. EDISON PAPERS STAFF (2007)
Director and General Editor
Paul Israel
Senior Editor
Thomas Jeffrey
Associate Editors
Louis Carlat
Theresa Collins
Assistant Editor
David Hochfeldcr
Indexing Editor
David Ranzan
Consulting Editor
Linda Endersby
Visiting Editor
Amy Flanders
Editorial Assistants
Alexandra Rimer
Kelly Enright
Eric Barry
Outreach and Development
(Edison Across the Curriculum)
Theresa Collins
Business Manager
Rachel Wcissenburgcr
BOARD OF SPONSORS (2007)
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey National Park Service
Richard L. McCormick Maryanne Gerbauckas
Ziva Galili Michelle Ortwcin
Ann Fabian
Paul Clemens Smithsonian Institution
Harold Wallace
New Jersey Historical Commission
Marc Mappen
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD (2007)
Robert Friedel, University of Maryland
Louis Galambos, Johns Hopkins University
Susan Hockey, Oxford University
Thomas P. Hughes, University of Pennsylvania
Ronald Kline, Cornell University
Robert Rosenberg, John Wiley & Sons
Marc Rothenberg, Joseph Henry Papers, Smithsonian Institution
Philip Scranton, Rutgers University/Hagley Museum
Merritt Roe Smith, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTORS
We thankfully acknowledge the vision and support of Rutgers University and the
Thomas A. Edison Papers Board of Sponsors.
This edition was made possible by grant funds provided from the New Jersey Historical
Commission, National Historical Publications and Records Commission, and The National
Endowment for the Humanities. Major underwriting has been provided by the Barkley Fund,
through the National Trust for the Humanities, and by The Charles Edison Foundation.
We are grateful for the generous support of the IEEE Foundation, the Hyde & Watson
Foundation, the Martinson Family Foundation, and the GE Foundation. We acknowledge gifts
from many other individuals, as well as an anonymous donor; the Association of Edison
Illuminating Companies; and the Edison Electric Institute. For the assistance of all these
organizations and individuals, as well as for the indispensable aid of archivists, librarians,
scholars, and collectors, the editors arc most grateful.
A Note on the Sources
The pages which have been
filmed are the best copies
available. Every technical
effort possible has been
made to ensure legibility.
PUBLICATION AND MICROFILM
COPYING RESTRICTIONS
Reel duplication of the whole or of
any part of this film is prohibited.
In lieu of transcripts, however,
enlarged photocopies of selected
items contained on these reels
may be made in order to facilitate
research.
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS SERIES
NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD
AND RELATED WARTIME
RESEARCH PAPERS
Naval Consulting Board and Related Wartime Research Papers
Correspondence (1919)
This folder contains correspondence and other documents pertaining
to Edison's continuing association with the Naval Consulting Board (NCB) an
his experimental research for the Navy during the year following the end of
the war The correspondents include Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels
and Assistant Secretary Franklin D. Roosevelt; NCB members Andrew M.
Hunt Thomas Robins, and William L. Saunders; inventor William G. Ruggles,
and experimenters Paul D. Payne and Bruce R. Silver Included are 'terns
relatinq to the writing of an official history of the Naval Consulting Board by
Joyd N Scott; Edison's use of the yacht USS Hauoli for experimental
research; his opinion about the future role of the NCB; and ongoing questions
about the planned Naval Research Laboratory. There are also documents
pertaining to the end of the war, including the disposition of various supplies
and equipment, the termination of experimental work by some of Edison s
men, and a preliminary list of Edison's research Fleets prepared by h.s
assistant William H. Meadowcroft for Rear Admiral W. Strother Smith, the
Nava! officer responsible for the NCB. Some of the letters discuss Newman
H Holland's acoustic range finder and the submarine listening apparatus that
Edison wished to have built at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Approximately 50 percent of the documents have been selected. The
unselected material includes routine items relating to financial, adF’l.s^Jy®-
and personnel matters; unsolicited correspondence from mventors, routine
thank-you letters signed by Edison; and documents, unrelated to Edison,
regarding the future of the NCB.
S. P. No. 249 (Hauoli)
Gravesend Bay , H.Y.
Jan. S 1919. • ■
GEBEE&l DESCBIPTIOH OP YACHT U.S.S. HAUOLI S.P.E49.
TO THOMAS A. ELISOH.
length overall
length on waterline
Net tonnage
Gross tonnage
Coal oapaoity
Water oapaoity
220 feet.
187 feet.
203
300
55 tons.
5300 gals.
provisions for 5 days.
10 K.W. dynamo ( Ho Batteries)
Draught II feet.
Beam 21 feet*
4 Cylinder triple expansion engine.
Single sorew propulsion.
Maximum speed 17 knots. Economic speed 13 knots
Wireless telegraph and wireless telephone.
3 listening devices.
Crew 60 men and 6 offioers.
Stub bowsprit (Ho stays attaohed)
".A
'mua.
SignedY
To :
The Sowunndsait, Third 2! aval ylatvicU
JonamnCing officer USo
.iuhjoet: Orfh
1 The U3i oilOKHM U.»'.192) 10 horeby dotoflhod
ftoaL Sdlson, Third Matrlot If oral Pore a.
„»i. t,
!):P .floor of squadron 20-*. *or t-uty.
s <£ho WS3 (2.1.192) is aaoipnofl to
Squadron 80-0 ! Third strict Sarol Torno.
a The U*) JAflfefc' (4.F.1TO) la ■•.oeiynoa to
j.ior 72, job* Blirer, for supplies .
<}y - Oomra ending Officer - Squadron 200
Supply Offioer , Pier 72 « tc
upnav. / ^
(*'
"P\ V
(f<'‘
r-S 0'“
,» 1 t? \ V
v.»
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✓
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p<\ \t-‘
January 9> 1919*
You will continue your present duties until
Relieved by another vessel.
Gy: Commanding Off icer, Sachem
Commander Arnold
Files
■ • ..MmiL/'CWSTO^MG WMSlF
OFl’IlEHSITEDSXVTJiS
EES:" or"w: °TiKM^
13 Paiik Row, JslnY'rjmK V ~ jan/ iif 1919.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison, Of vtc <t.L&L
Laboratory, / J
Orange, N. J. / , JT*u uwTtfue Kw-«*et# -
My dear Mr. Edison: / f •
With reference to thlT enclosed afsa^Cents py, /olrflular
letter to the members of the Board, I wr i
to give us the benefit-1 of you^Judgment. as to whg^our Boafd ought
f . „ cJU^/.Vc £&&£****£ ‘"'“I
to be and ought to do jin future Am a ^ v 'V\ I
You will find on readi'feoye^^he i^ate £ent a^gr^^dea^.^ I
of matter which a pateht lawyer ^if^ob-^t t|ae bei^^^dieTja^t
and immaterial". j The really aeiln'lte supgesjij^na ajJoa)J2|r iUy4,
The majority seem /to favor a purely. inactive future; a Board/vhloh "Y, *
\ &WvOJ
would create nothing of\lts own and would simply wait to> be consulted. ^
This in my opinion would\render it a purely ornanlental and useless
body. Emmet' and I seem\o agree pretty closely on another plan,
but your own jrleviB will be the result of so muoh knowledge and ex¬
perience that they will be awaited with great interest, and I hope
that you will find it possible to let us have
Very truly.
l\d\ tCL ***
TR/gt
Enos.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Naval Consulting Board.
OF THE UNITED STATES
Jan. 11, 1919.
To the Members of the Naval Consulting Board:
I am sending to each member of the Board a complete copy
of all the statements made by our members at the meeting of December
14th and later revised.
The purpose of that meeting was set forth very clearly by
the Chairman, Mr. Saunders. After dwelling upon the importance of
devising some plan "to marry the civilian inventors and scientific
men with the Navy Department", he asked "each member of the Board to
give his views on the whole situation as to the future of the Board
It will be seen however that in the very interesting
statements which were made, some of our members did not stick
closely to the text as stated by the Chairman. Therefore in order
to provide Seoretary Daniels with exactly what he asks for, namely
the views of our members as to the future of the Board, I now make
the suggestion that each member after reading the entire discussion
submit in a few words on a single page his final recommendation as
to the future of the Board, omitting argument, oritioism, compli¬
ments and other irrelevent matter. These final statements when
received will be promptly placed in Mr. Saunders' hands that he may
forward them together with the full notes of the discussion to
Seoretary Daniels.
Yours very truly,
mm acBsiis
Tfi/gt
Item €o^tstoli'®n<b Boamb
OF TI1E TOTTED KXVTEH
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
1:1 Park Row. Nun* York
Jan. 13, 1919.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Laboratory,
Orange, N. J.
My dear Mr. Edison:
Thpra are several young men who for a number of months
served without pay in this offioe, performing the very
duty of examining letters from inventors. There: la i nothi: ng
that these men would appreciate as muoh aB a letter of
annreoiation signed by you, and I would suggest that if you oa e
toPdo it you write the letter somewhat in the following form:
My dear Sir:
As President of the Naval Consulting Board
of the United States, I beg to thank you for the
servioes whioh you rendered the Naval Consulting
Board during the emergenoy period following the
declaration of war with Germany.
Your valued assistance so willingly volun¬
teered in a spirit of patriotism will be grate¬
fully remembered.
Yours very truly,
NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD
OF THE UNITED STATES
By_ _ _ _
President.
This letter should be addressed to Mr.
dre ssed^a^New S^^S^Ag sent’ to Z that I may
distribute them.
Thanking you in advance for your kindne-ei
nin this
matter, I ™ .
TH/gt oK J tJb*
3
-r
Sinoerely
January 14,1919.
Ur. Thomas Robins, Secretary,
Baval Consulting Board of the United States,
13 Park Row,
Bew York, H.Y.
My dear Robins:
I have read with a great deal of
interest the statements and opinions expressed by
the Members of the Baval Consulting Board as to
ito past, present and futuro ' standing.
In view of all the facts, I am of the
opinion that all the Members of the Baval Consulting
Board should plaoe their resignatipns in tho hands
of The Secretory of the Eavy for action one way or
another.
If he desires that the Board should be
continued he should devise soma practical modifica¬
tions that would bring it into cooperation with the
Offioers of the Bevy. If he cannot do this, - and
I am afraid he is. powerless to do so, - I think we
should insist on his acceptance of our resignations.
Youra very truly, ,
A/6299.
DEPARTMENT OF THE NA'
GENERAL BOARD.
January 22, 1919,
'IvjL/ff »*** & ~
Ky dear Mr. Meadowcroft: -
rULt U
£
ft-
Your letter of January 15th was duly received and
the request contained therein promptly complied with.
I hope that you receive the maps and bulletins all right,
they were mailed on last Saturday even though I am late
in acknowledging your letter and informing you of their
transmittal.
When I was in Orange, Mr. Edison said he expected to
come down here "in a couple of weeks". I have heard nothing
more on the subject and am looking forward with pleasure to
the time when he will be here again, even if only for a
short time.
You will probably remember that when you occupied
Admiral Dewey’s old room down here, I removed all of the
charts and maps from the chart roll on the wall , and
assisted in the preparation of a series requested by
Mr. Edison. His maps are still in that roll, and I
enclose herewith a list of them and request instructions
as to their disposition. I doubt if they are of any
particular use to him now, but should he want them I would
he glad to send them along.
Things are pretty slow here now and I am getting restive
again. If you hear of any good job floating around, don’t
forget me. I wonder if Mr. Ford doesn't want a good associate
editor on his new paper. (X) I think I could have the paper
sujjressed within three issues, if they would publish some
things I would like to write.
With kindest regards,
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Y/. H. Meadow croft,
Thomas A. Edison laboratory,
Orange, B. J.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
1131’ 01'’ CHARTS OH SHEETS XH ADMIRAL BADGER’ 3 ROOa.
3Pain ana Portugal - Cape St. Vincent to Strait of Gibraltar.
Mediterranean - Gulfis of lyon and Genoa.
Spain - Rio Bidasoa to Cape Penas.
Cape Penas to Pontevedra Bay.
Cape Pinicterre to Cape ot. Vincent.
Pas do Sud (Prance) to Cape Prior (upain).
Gulfs of iyons and Genoa.
Tyrrhenian Sea.
Sardinia to^ialta (including Sicily).
Mediterranean Aehipclago (northern aiid ^outhern sheets).
Turl'ev in Asia - Rhodes Ial&nu to - •
•.lalta to Cape Maleu, including the Ionian Islands.
Outline chart of Mediterranean Sea - (large one in 2 sections
and small one ) .
Orkney Islands - northern portion.
Shetland Islea.
1 el and to Urfordness, incl-i
s.st :
am Or-fordni
ncliuiing
England - East Coast. He
Entrance to Thtuncs.
Outer Gabbard to Outer Dowsing, 1
to xilaj.eney. . > n!i
England - South Coast. Dungenecs to the ,uw
Dover Strait.
Calais to the fi. Schelde entrance.
England - Owers to Dungeness. ;1
Prance - Cape Levi to Peeump and ^ecump to .,oulocne.
England - Eddyetone to Portland and Portland to Owers.
The Channel Islands and Adjacent Coast of iranc .
ggS* ;.S1fo°LdiroSi»., i.»i»une mw «i». -
Irevose Head "to hull Point.
England - Hew \iuay to Holyhead.
Great Orrnes Head to Liverpool.
ot.Govens Head to Hew ^uuy*
Ireland - Slyne Head to liseanor Bay.
Liscanor Bay to Tralee Bay.
Valentia to Cork.
Ireland - larne to Bloody Poreland.
Horn head to Hath 1 in O’Birne.
Rathlin O’Birne to Downpatrick Head.
Downpatrick Head to Achill Heaa.
Achill Head to Slyne Head.
IricotSnfr0; Por t&Patrf ek" to irkeudb r i gh t” and*1 the llu\t
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
2.
15. Scotland - Hebrides or Western Isles.
Hull of Cantyre to Ardnamurchan .
Ardnaraurchau to Buinrae r Isles.
16.
IV.
18.
19.
Ireland - Skernes Islands to lough Carlingford, with Dundalk Bay.
Hinsule to Wexford.
Wexford to Wicklow.
Scotland - IThurso Bay to Ilorth llinch,
and Lewis, with Sule Skerry, Ron a a
Cape Wrath to i’lannan Isles.
Aberdeen to Banff.
Peterhead to Pentland Firth.
including parts of Orkney
nid Sulisker.
France - Pte. d'Arcachon to Pte. de la Coubre.
Pte. de la Coubre to Ics tables d Olonne.
£cs Sables d'Olonne to Bourgneuf.
Bourgneuf to I. de Croix.
Prance - He d'Ouessant to Plateau des Roches Bouvres.
20. Scotland - Soutor Pt. to Aberdeen
England - Blalceney to Sunderland.
January 24,1919
Mr. J. J. Butler,
General Board Hoorn,
Department of the Wavy,
Washington. D.C.
My dear. Mr. 'Butler:
I find on receiving yonr letter
of January 22d that I did not acknowledge the receipt
of the mans and Bulletins. They came promptly. But
I must confess to carelessness in not having written yon
a note of acknowledgment and thanks. However, I send
you our thanks, although they are much Belated.
I showed your letter to Mr- Edison so that I
could get his instructions about the charts and maps
which he had placed on the chart roll in Admiral Dewey' s
old room. His comment was not extensive, and I will
repeat them in tote "Tell Butler I won't need the maps
until the next War". 'nuff said?
I' have not heard Mr. Edison say anything more
about going down to Washington. He has been awfully
busy on some special experiments which he is hurrying to
finish before he goes on his trip to Florida next month.
This morning T had an idea thst I would remind
him of his proposed trip to Washington. Tf I can got
a chance later on in the day I shall do it.
T shall bear you in mind if anything good turns
up that will be suitable for you. Yon already know
something of my opinion of you, so you may rest assured
that it will have to he something worth while. I have
no doubt or your ability to carry out your threat if yon
were appointed Associate Editor on Mr. Ford's new naner.
With kindest regards, T remain,
Yours sincerely, -
A/ 6385 .
promt She Commandant, TMrd linvnl district.
I'o •. Oonu:mndin3 Officer, US3 UAUQhl, (S.P. 249)
Subject: OHD/.jS :
X, 'Bio UC3 H/sUOil (3.2. 249) ia heroby detached i'ron.
squadron .2, ffiilrd JJaval difltriat i’orao.
2. You will proceed with the vosool -under your oomauncL
to hnvy Yard and report by tolophono to ShoB.A.Kdiaon or hie
roproaontatlvo for experimental duty and will receive from tho
UB3 SACHjJi (C.i5. 192) Buoh equipment aa he may aireot.
g. The OSS HAUOhl (S.P. 249) iD hereby aeoignoa to
Thoa, A. £ ilia on for oxperiaentnl duty.
4. The US 3 EAUOlI (S*P. 849) will obtain supplies from
tho -no&root supply station, i't ‘
Oyt Section 6
Command lag Officer/ 3 quad. 13
Thou. A. lidioon J
January 31,1919
Hoar Admiral G. ]J. Burd ,
Havy Yard,
Brooklyn,' N.Y.
lly dear Admiral:
Mr- Edison wishes me to advise you
that he desires to h' ve some changes made in the.
devise which was recently comnleted at the Y.;rd finder
the direction of Mr. H. G. Y/olfe.
This letter will he ?iven to Mr. Wolfo to ,
hand to you. and ltr. Edison will he obliged if you
will kindly facilitate the work as above. '
« Ypurs very truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
•Enclosure. • ,
n
Nawai. Coararoun ng BOjUsd
OF THE TISTTEl) STATES
1:1 Pahk How. Nuw York.
January 31 ;
Ur. W. H. Maadoworoft,
Edison Laboratory,
Orange, N. J
Dear Sir:
Ur. Robins ie not in the office and
oannot write this letter himself, but he asks i
to send you the enolosed with the request that
show it to Ur. Edison, as he wants the benefit of
Ur. Edison's criticism before he finally oommits
himself to thiB recommendation.
. . — Yours very truly,
... L\
bl .
GT
r Zk)
'W- * 4* ~ A***"" ^
^a^aAk**** ^ *
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
• THOMS ROBIHS Jan. 33, 1919.
Since submitting my former statement I have become convinced
that the mere reorganization of the Naval Consulting Board will not
accomplish all that is needed. No mere Consulting Board whether
Naval or civilian would in itself have great weight, and the connection
of such a body with the various Bureaus would not produce the harmony
and efficiency whioh would lead to success, nor could such a weak and
loose jointed arrangement as such a connection would afford measure up
to the opportunities which are afforded by the developments of
scienoe and their application to the Navy.
The need for practical participation of scientists in Naval
development has been realized in Great Britain, where during the latter
part of the War a scientist was placed as an advisor in the office of
the head of each Department. The results of this plan encouraged the
Admiralty to extend it, and recently there has been appointed a
Scientific Assistant to the Chief of Staff, in whose hands are placed
all resear oh and experimental wcrk, whether problems of pure scienoe
or management of experimental laboratories for the development of
devices applying to communication, torpedoes, search light, radio,
anti-sub marine work and other similar activities.
As the British plan would not exactly suit the organization
of our Navy Department X beg to submit the following suggestion, its
relevance to this discussion lying in the fact that it would furnish a
single branch of the Service to which the Naval Consulting Board
would logically be attached: -
An additional Bureau in the Navy Department to be orea ted
by Act of Congress to be known as the Bureau of Research and
Development .
This Bureau to have the supervision of all scientific,
research and development activities of the Navy, either taking
oharge of them or coordinating them to such extent as may be
deemed advisable.
The Bureau to receive appropriations of adequate funds
for the development of instrumentalities and devices which
arise from its own activities or which are submitted to it
from other sources.
The Bureau to have charge of the Research and Experimental
Laboratory of the Navy, and to have the power to attach to itself
such civilian scientific bodies and individuals as may be desired.
The Secretary of the Navy to have the power' to assign to
duty with this Bureau such officers and enlisted personnel as
may be required in the performance of its duties.
The Chief of this Bureau to be appointed from civil life
and to be given the rank, pay and title of Rear-Admiral.
In the meantime, the emergency for which it was created having come
to an end, the members of the Naval Consulting Board should place
their resignations in the hands of Secretary Daniels.
February 4,1919...
Mr. Thomas Robins, Secretary,
Naval Consulting Board of tho United States
13 Park Row,
New fork, K.Y.
My dear Robins:
Your letter of January 31st was received. .
What you propose would never produce results
of any value. hike tho Navy Department of every
Government, their experimental facilities produce no
results because they never have the right kind of men
to properly man them.
An Experimental Laboratory to be a success
mu3t be operated entirely by civilians and come under
tho direct control of tho Socretary of the Navy, who
seems to bo the only civilian in the outfit, ti'o’ Naval
Officer should have anything to do with it. Their
business should be operotion, not creation.
The Secretary of the Navy would have at his
command tho highest grade technical men in the Country,
men of great attainments who have come to the top in
the commercial struggle due to mental capacity and
long experience.
Annapolis produces only students who immediately
onter for life into a system that takes away every
incentive by which, superior men can. advance.
. As there soems to be no hope of changing this
system, my conclusion is that the Naval .Consulting Hoard
should be dissolved and the Members resign.
Yours very truly.
A/6476.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Havsl Cowswiawe Board
OF TI1E UNITED STATES
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OnANOE.Tf.iI. February 4,1919.
Mr- Thomas Rohins, Secretary,
Eaval Consulting Board of the
13 Park How,
New York, N.Y.
United States,
Hy dear Rohins:
Your letter of January 31st was
received. 'hr^G.^ir-A
A/6476.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
If avail Consulting Board
OF THE UNITED SUITES
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Laboratory,
Orange, N.
My dear Mr. Edison:
in Pahk llow. UkwYohk
f^^la*^***™ *' 1919'
t
.C-wp
■■- .
I want to thank you for^°ft^le$i
I fully agree with you tha^ad^oed ^
for the Navy ought to fe^feolf^ln1 the hands of civilians, but I
>eTh£lC»<,£
1 conf*on
present Naval system is pretty near jbom'opr oof . Whenever one of
believe that suoh e
or politician who oan be kruatel to brink pressure «*.«« «— j
I X y ZZZC**'-** l
Secretary of the Navy. lC k
The relationship Trei'^een each Na^al office); and some
political Godfather is close r^^ ^i^gen&yal^/sjjS89^-- From
the time when the politician ^y toave procure Ahs^of fleer 's
appointment to Annapolis until one of them r«&re? there is likely
to be a oonstant interchange of support andjgtfrt£aie8 . The
combined strength of the closely knit union of the officers and
their political backers would be opposed to any plan whioh would
lessen the importance of the Bureau Chiefs or reduce the amount of
money or the patronage at their command.
I would therefore favor a plan whioh while in the nature
of a compromise and in itself less desirable, would have a better
ohanoe of being adopted. I am not even sure that for practical
purposes I did not go too far in suggesting that the Chief of the
Proposed Bureau of Research and Development be appointed from civil
life. That will probably arouse great opposition, although it is
the practice followed in the Bureau of Yards and Books.
The object in my mind is to improve conditions in the
Navy, and X don't think that there would be any improvement if we
were to suggest a plan which would have no ohanoe of being adopted.
The story of your own experience with the Naval officers is the big
trump card which is yet to be uncovered in the contest between
scientific progress and Naval pigheadedness . I hope that you
will produce that card at the moment when a clear-out issue hangs
in the balance so that it can be definitely settled by the immense
weight of your knowledge and influence, for politically you are an
enormous latent power. You are like a loaded sixteen inch gun.
Your charge should not be wasted on shooting a rabbit or by being
fired aimlessly into the air.
Let us arrange a definite issue of such a character that
its opposition can consist of nothing but prejudice. Got it
before Congress and then arrange for an Interview with you which
will reach the entire public and through them Congress. With such
a shove, the scheme would be pushed through as irresistibly as your
six foot rolls handle a five ton rook. Whyjotjftilise your ^own
kinetio energy in thiB way?
February 8,1919-
From: Thomas A. Edison, Orange, H. J.
To: Commanding Offioer of U.S.S. E-3., ICoy ’flest. Fla.
Sub joet : Heoommendat i on of Paul D. Payno.
1. Paul D. Payne, Chief Eleotrloian, was dotai.lod
by the Davy Department on or about August 14,1918, to
assist me in some special- experiments for the Secretary
of the Horry, and pincje- that time hos been working here
in. Orange, under my direction.
2. Payne has told me that since September 1,1918,
he hn'3 been eligible for permanent appointment as Chief
Sleotricinn. On account- of his being engaged on his
present, attached duty ho has not had an opportunity, to
toko the examination.
3. T understand that it will bo of assistance to
Payne in this connection if I certify, which I nov tuke
pleasure in doing, that his work hero has boehi very
satisfactory. '
(signed) Thos. A. Edison.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
_ _ _ )i S. s. K3
i . r c i j l ( , ( ( , ( /
_ (j_ _ (fata <d'(rCly,^f *6/1./ f. - _ '
& Ctem _ ZlIclIL _ eicJ etcC'r ?.( gy _
- i&c - hfit-'y ' , _ ^ ftri-'n
. /if — (£.... £ . . _ n-ta _///' _
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
February 11,1919.
Ur. Thomas Hobins, ’Secretary,
Naval Consulting Board,
New York, H.Y.
.Dear Hr* Hobins :
Your letter of February 3th wa3
handed to Ur- Kdison. It arrived, only a short
time before he left yesterday to 50 to -Florida.
He made the following pencil note on your letter,
so I will quote it, as follows:
"Robins: T think that Congress,
as well as the civilian Secretary
of the Navy, are very much in favor
of a purely civilian laboratory.
Consross knows of the abuses and
it is uowerless against the Bureau
Chiefs', and I feel sure that they
would bo deliarhted with a club,
nearly every Congress has had one
or more of their friends and supporters
turned down by the Navy buroau in past
years".
Of course, you rsalir.e that there wa3
no time to out this in the shape of a letter so that
he could si s:n it, but the above would have been the .
substance of. the letter.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Ur. Kdison.
A/6541.
Feb rua ry 20 ,1919.
Hear Admiral W . Strother Smith, U.S.I!.,
Hnvy Department,
Washington, D.C.
My dear Admiral:
Allow me to hand you herewith our
Laboratory bill for experimental work done by Mr.
Edison covering a period, ilovember 30th, 1918. to
January 31st, 1919, at cost, amounting to ,;3,072.70.
Thi3 bill is sent in duplicate, cer¬
tified to by Mr. Edison.
When the oheol: is read;/, you can for¬
ward it to me as usual.
. fours vory 'truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
Enclosure.
Hon. Hewton I). Baker. .
The Secretary of War,
* Washington, .h.C.
My dear Mr. Secretary:
Allow me to hand you herewi th
our laboratory hill for experimental work done by Mr.
Edison covering a period, ilovomber 30,1910, to January
31,1919, at cost, amounting to ^1.451.95.
This hill is sent in duplicate, certified
to by Hr. Edison.
When check is ready, you can forward it
to me as usual.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
Enclosure.
If ayml CoarsinaiNG Board c/fe
OF THE UNITED STATES . I ^ ! ~ y J \t>
Dear Ur. Edison:-
I have prepared the enolosed memorandum ex¬
pressing my ideas in brief form as to the future of
the Naval Consulting Board.
I believe the statement is perfectly logical,
and the course advised to be perfectly proper and con¬
sistent.
JonvInieK reach, all of whom have agreed to it
without any argument .
Messrs. Saunders, Thayer, Robins, Addicks and Hutchinson.
Will you please reply at your early conven¬
ience lettlS MtaoS If I may also express your oon-
ourrenoe.
Any previous statement you
ie no bar to oonourrenoe with the one I enclose.
Yours sincerely,
Member Naval Consulting Board.
Mr. Thos. A. Edison,
West Orange, N. J.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Iavai Cwsmmro Board
OF THE H'XITEl) STATES
HEBORAttDUM.
Whether the Hcival Consulting Board shall regain
in existence or not io a oattar for determination by
the Secretary of the Bavy and not by tin Board itself.
If he dboideu to continue the Board's existence,
*8 believe ths reslGa-»tlon of all newbore of tho Board
should bo placed In his hands, no th it Iso any bo free
to reoonotltuto the Board with a personnel which may
or Kay not Include the present aosr.boro.
lie believe oast experience dictates that if the
Board is to be continued, a precept uuat be prepared, in
i/hich its statue sad relation to other branches of the
service are defined, and its duties, liaitations, end
manner of functioning distinctly cat forth.
We believe that ouch precept should bo preparod
by a joint Board composed of Saval of f Icoro, and re¬
presentatives from the pro sent aosborahlp of the ifavnl
Consulting Board and be subject to approval by ths
Secretary of tha tlavy.
Unless eons ouoh aouroo la followed, it scotso to
uu Inevitable that friation, confusion and failure to
further the best interests of the aorvioo will continue
in the future.
rrrnif t wc
S. NAVAL AMMUNITION DEPOT
DOVER (LAKE DENMARK), N. J.
February 24, 1919.
Edison Laboratory,
Orange ,11. J.
Gentlemen:
The Bureau of Ordnance, Uavy Department, Washington,
D. C., in its letter Ho. 32242 of February 19, 1919, directs
that 750 lbs. of explosives belonging to the Havy Department
and now at your Laboratory be delivered to this Ammunition
Depot.
Please deliver this material to bearer, H. Gordon.
Respectfully,
' in Charge.
\
February 26,1919.
Mr. Edward B. Hurley,
United States Shipping Board,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Hurley:
Your letter of February 20th to
Mr. Edison has been received in his absence. He
has gone down to his Winter home in Florida to tale
a vacation.
I have looked up the letter which you wrote
to him on March 18,1910, enclosing some correspondence
relating to a bydro-oarbon converter invented by Mr.
William T. Cutter, of East Lyme, Conn., and take pleasure
in returning these papers, herewith, namely, letter of
Mr. William T. Cutter, dated January 20,1918; lithograph
picture of the Beach Oil Electric oar; copy letter .of -
Franklin D. Roosevelt to Hon. Frank B. Brandegee, dated
March 8,1918, and originel letter of Hon. Frank. B. Brande¬
gee addressed to j/ourself under date of March 14,1918.
. In order to have our files complete I will
be very much obliged if yop will kindly have your Secre¬
tary acknowledge receipt of these papers.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
Enclosures - 4;
(
3 fini~c fc'V-,, i have teen informed by the Bureau of Ordnance
rj. that Dr. Silver's services have been completed and I
otCi'r, -f0rwara you a oopy of a letter addressed to Dr-. Silver
0r.v directly at the Jones Point laboratory, Jones Point, H. Y.
I , I am glad to see that his services have been so highly
r,J '7- appreciated.
fifir it'-t./fi j
Ctl/n^uD
. I am preparing a chapter for the Historical
/ Section of the Navy Department on the services of the Naval
( Consulting Board and of course, Mr. Edison's, for publi-
: cation. If I could get from you a brief description of
; the work that he has been doing, I would be very glad to
I have it, or, if you think it advisable, I will try to come
: up and go over the matter with you. I have all the rest
of the work in very good shape.
Please let me know what Mr. Edison’s and your
views ar.e on the subject.
With kindest regards, I
Mr. Wm. H. Meadowsroft
Edison laboratory
Orange , New Jersey.
i
f
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
COPY
Pel). 81, 1919
Subject: Servioes to the Bureau
Sir:
Upon the completion of your experimental work
with Hexamethylenetetramine, the Bureau wishes to ex¬
press its appreciation of the industry and ability with
which you have prosecuted this work. The following is
quoted from a letter from the Inspector of Ordnance in
Charge of the Naval Ammunition Depot, Iona Island, N. Y. :
"The thorough and efficient manner in which
Dr. Silver has handled the work entrusted to him and the
cheerful and untiring efforts he has displayed in working
out the problems which the Bureau from time to time has assigned
to him.
The Inspector takes great pleasure in recommending
to the Bureau the exceptionally sterling qualities which he
has found embodied in Dr. Silver both as a chemist and a
citizen."
The Bureau is glad to add an expression of its
appreciation of your efforts to that of the officer quoted
above .
VeTy truly yours.
( SGN) Ralph Earle
Hear Admiral U.S.N.
Chief of Bureau.
Dr. Bruce R. Silver
Chief Chemist
Jones Point laboratory
Jones Point, New York.
7)V-
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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
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February 20,1919
Mr. Bruce ii. Silver,.
Jones Point, i!.Y.
Ky dear Mr. Silver:
At la3t the Government has brought
out its little guillotine'. The axo has fallen and
if you will loot in the basket you will see your head.
All of which means that I received a letter
this morning from Sear Admiral '.V. Strother Smith stat¬
ing that your services hove been complotod. I also
■received a copy of a nice complimentary letter written
to you by 3ear Admiral Earle, and I am awfully glad that
the 'Department appreciates the valuable services you
hove gi von . '
I am sorry to do it, but, of course, the only
thing ’I could do on receiving this notifi cation was to
separate you from onr pay-roll, as Mr. Edison would riot
be authorized to continue your name thereon after this
notification. '.Ve shall make your account up tc and
including today, and within the next day or two the
amount due you will be forwarded.
Our association has been an awfully pleasant
one to me, and it would be a great pleasure to us all
if at some future time wo became once more brought to
work together. Mr. Edison is in Florida t present,
and I shall send down to him the letters of Boar Admiral
Smith and Hear Admiral Earle for his information.
With kindest regards, T romain.
Very sincerely your3.
Assistant to Mr. Edisoi
Commanding Officer,
Governors Island,
New York Harbor,
Hew York.
Dear Sir:-
P03sibly you may be awaro that during
the last two years T have been experimenting for
the Davy Department on range finding by sound. In
these experiments I havo employed the servioos of
one of my experts. Hr. H. H. Holland.
I have -recently been ifiiformed that at
Governors Island you have some of the apparatus
that was used by the Pronch and 3ritish Governments
as audible range finders. If it' is permissible,
I. would like to have Mr. Holland obtain full informa¬
tion for me on those instruments. This will intro¬
duce Mr. Holland to you, and I shall be glad if yon
can allow him to acquire the information for mo.
Yours very truly.
Ilaroh 4,1919.
Mr. A. M. Hunt, -
55 Liberty Street,
Hew York, H.X.
Dear Mr. Hunt:
I received your letter of February
2ist to Mr. Ediaon, enclosin'? a memorandum present¬
ing your ideas in brief form as to the future of
the "tiara 1 Consulting Hoard, and sont the srme dowp
to Mr. Edison.
I have Just received it back from him
with a memorandum requesting me to say to you that .
he sees no objection to this.
fours very truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
A/6687.
11a roh 10.1919.
Hear Admiral W. Strother Smith, U.S.H.,
HAVif DEPARTMEHT,
Washington, D-C.
My dear Admiral:
Referring onoe more to your
vi
;i£ ■Sia.'.r t»;srr."“
SS-S2as&'«c
Mr. Edison soys that he will seo you
at any time on his return from Florida.
With-kindost rogards. X remain.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
Enclosure.
A/6726.
Naval Consulting Board
OF THE UNITED STATES
13 Pa uk Rov
March 13, 1919.
To the members of the Naval Consulting Board:
Dear Sirs:-
A meeting of the Naval Consulting Board will be held on
Saturday, March 33. at 9:30 A. M.
At the Engineering Sooieties Building, 19 West 39th St., New Yor
Office of the Amerioan Institute of Mining Engineers.
Please to note the papers attached hereto.
This meeting will be the Annual Meeting of the Board, which
meeting according to Article IV of the "Rules and Regulations of
■the Naval Consulting Board of the. United States", "shall take
"plaoe in March".
Yours very truly,
Thomas Robins,
Secretary,
NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
NAVY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON
Mar. 11, 1919.
Mr.- W. L. Saunders,
11 Broadway.
New York, N. Y.
My dear Mr. Saunders:- . : - *'
I have this day drawn up a precept appointing
five naval officers, to wit: Admiral Benson as senior
member, and Rear-Admirals Griffin, Taylor, Earle and
Smith as members, to meet with five members of the Naval
Consulting Board to be appointed by you, you acting as
the chairman of these five members, and upon Admiral
Benson's return from abroad please get in touch with him
and arrange with him the joint meeting of the Board which
the precept directs.
As you know, I am taking Rear-Admirals Griffin,
Taylor and Earle abroad with me, and we will get. in touch
with Admiral Benson while over there. In the meantime,
will you please have the Naval Consulting Board fully
disouss the subject.
Yours. very truly,.
JOSEPHUS DANIELS (signed)
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Mar oh 11, 1919.
From: Secretary ' of the Navy. .
To: Admiral W. S. Benson, U.S.Navy.
A Board is hereby appointed, of which you are the
senior member, to consist of the following officers and
members of the Naval Consulting Board:
Rear-Admirals R.S. Griffin
David W. Taylor
Ralph Earle
W, Strother Smith, Member & Reoorder
To meet with the following members of the Naval Consulting Board.
Thos, A. Edison (or D.W.Brunton)
W.L .Saunders
B.B; Thayer
A. M. Hunt
Dr. D.H. Baekeland
The Board will meet shortly after your return from
France and when all members can be conveniently fathered tog
at ?he Navy Department, Washington, D C., or such ^^plaoe as
may be found most advantageous, at such time or times as may
• designated by you.
The purpose for which this Board is ordered is to_
■ consider and device ways and means ^t^the Naw ®
Board may be mde more generally useful to the Navy.
- Past experience dictates that rules ^a*i°n§aval
should be prepared by whioh the status and relations o
Consulting^Board to other branches of the service ^ballbe^de-
- fined, and its duties, limitations and manner of fn-iotioning
set forth.
weight to eve^consideration? mke^ch Sgestions as to^the
Naval Service.
tactmsuttq nauTF.T.s (signed)
W, 4a &e- oJk&aee)
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AdtAxo<
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
WASHINGTON
Ur* Thomas A. Edison,
ISy dear £!r« Edison: f
In reply to your letter of March 4y/igned hy
Ur. Vfa. H. Ileadowcroft: /
X again than* you for the further description of
vour acoustic device for determining positions of con-
ov/ing to \ the limited range of the measure¬
ments of distance, Ld the relatively large sound necessary,
as sr sssssa;
X trust may lead to some future developments.
Sant by HAA 5 30 Pit
March 86,19X9.
Rear Admiral G. E. Bard,
Navy Yard,
Brooklyn, II. Y.
My doar Admiral:
This letter and drawings will be
handed to you by Mr. Hanley, whom you will remember
as working under Mr. Edison' s .direction in regard
to the Submarine listening device. Mr. Edison
wishes to have the dovitje built in accordance, with
the above-named drawings, but it i3 too large a job
for our plant. At the Navy Yard you have facilities
for making, this device, and I believe the instructions
already given you by the Secretary of the Navy will
be sufficient to warrant your building this device. at
the Yard.
Mr. Edison is sti'll in Florida and is not
expected to return home until about the middle tjf'
April.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
A/68717.
Naval Consulting Board
OF THE UNITED STATES
OFFICIO OF TUB SEORETAHY
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Edison Laboratory,
Orange, N. J.
Dear Sir!
March 37, 1919.
At the Annual Meeting of the Naval Consulting Board held
in New York on March 33, 1919, a quorum being present, the following
Resolution after discussion was passed by unanimous vote, the
members present being Messrs. Lawrence Addioks,
D. W. Brunton,
W. L. R. Emmet,
A. M. Hunt,
M. R. Hutchison,
Hudson Maxim,
A. L. Riker,
Thomas Robins.
W. L. Saunders,
M, B. Sellers,
E. A. Sperry,
Frank J. Sprague,
B. B. Thayer,
A. G. Webster,
R. S. Woodward,
WHEREAS, The appointment by Seoxetary Daniels, in
the fall of 1915, of a Naval Consulting Board composed of
members selected by various engineering societies, to bring
to the Navy the cooperation of civilian scientists and
inventors, was a constructive step taken in contemplation of
a great national emergency which is now practioally over, and
WHEREAS, Secretary Daniels, by an order dated
March 11, 1919, named a Board to "consider and devise ways and
means by which the Naval Consulting Board may be made more
generally useful to the Navy", and
WHEREAS, The members of the Naval Consulting Board,
while deeply appreciating the honor of their appointment and
the opportunity which it has given them to serve their
country, now believe that better results oan be obtained
through some other agency than through a purely civilian
organization, and
WHEREAS, The importance of research
experimental wort is fully appreciated by
for which many of them are admirably equipped ^ education
and natural taste, and who need only suitable opportunity
and proper encouragement, to insure a high measure of success,
and
whfrfAS The officers and bureaus of the Navy have
already successfully conduoted on a la^SescalereBear an
experimental work of a high order, cooperating therein wivn
civilian scientists and inventors, be it
RESOLVED, That the members oftheNaval Consulting
Board respectfully submit to the rt^fioIal
belief that they should be relieved °fter his
duties, and that it is the sense of the Board that after ms
return from abroad they should present their indavidum
resignations for suoh action as may seem, to him prope ,
•.■bkpslss a ssrs&sss rsj?
carried to early completion as a nucleus, shall co operate
with all bureaus and the existing experimental and proving
stations, and
RESOLVED, That the members of the Naval Consulting
Board hereby express their readiness to respond as
iissr&MS --S SWS
After the passage of the above Resolution it was decided
unanimously to send the Resolution as adopted with the names of
those who had voted in favor of it to all the members of the Board
who were not present at the meeting, with the request that such
members express their concurrence or non-concurrence with said
Resolution.
The Resolution is now sent to you for the purpose men¬
tioned and you are requested to notify »» Aether you wish to be
recorded as concurring or as non-ooncurring with its adoption.
Yours very truly, RoMns
TR/gt
Ttom €®>^TsinLi’iN<e
or Till! UNITED STATES
FF1C15 OF THE SKCUETAK
lUl’AUK ROW. NHWYORK
Mar oh 39, 1919.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, N. J.
My dear Mr. Edison:
Referring to the enclosed circular letter containing the
Resolution which was passed at- Saturday's meeting of the Board, I
want to write you very privately on this suhjeot.
For some Um past I have been convinced as to certain
matters aB follows: -
The old style Bureau Chiefs are utterly unwilling to
accept assistance from a prominent civilian body such as the Naval
Consulting Board, although they are grateful for help from individual
civilians provided the fact is kept quiet. They are intensely
jealous, and nothing disturbs them so much as to have it known that
any civilian has been of the least possible assistance to the Navy.
Also these old style fellows have no knowledge of or sympathy with
real scientific development.
There is however a younger element in the Navy, represented
by such men as Commander McDowell, who are keenly alive to all that
science may do for the Navy. They know that their help must come
from civilians and they are not ashamed to give credit where it is
due. Up at New London these young officers and a lot of physicists
from Schenectady and the' Universities worked together like a lot of
brothers, and they produced splendid results. McDowell has
outlined a plan for a Department of Soientific Research and Development
in the Navy. He proposes to utilise the oivilians who have worked
at New London and others, and in order to overoome the ohjeotions of
the Bureau Chiefs he proposes that the oivilian scientists shall he
given Naval rank and made Lieutenant Commanders, the staff to he
increased from time to time.
McDowell's plan is now in Secretary Daniels' hands and is
teing considered, hut I understand that the existence of the Naval
Consulting Board is one thing that stands in the way of its adoption.
Reviewing this situation it became obvious to me that the
Naval Consulting Board ought to go out of business. The Bureau
Chiefs don't like us and will not permit us to do anything, and our
existence is therefore simply blocking progress.
The same view was held by most of the members who have been
doing the real work, but Mr. Saunders seemed to value the empty honor
of being Chairman of a useless organizat^and he was unwilling o
let it die. It was only the strong«^f the other members
that overcame his objections and^led to the PtW *
Resolution by a unanimous vote, s>
I hope that it will receive your support, and I
you will endorse it if we are able to prove to you what I believe to
toe a fact; that the passage of this Resolution will encourage the
progressive spirit in the Navy and render possible the real cooperation
of officers and oivilian scientist. ^ KoDoWell
I am sending you a oopy of an artioue y
which he has written for the Naval Institute.
*-*<*fJ3 .T"ST
c( k cel '
\f
(W
^g,k~
er**
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
a,01aJ~ k “ ^t1? X~£ i^.»ii"‘^ J
'~ lUX *f-^_ ^•Htrx“X°s»
, -j » “(£ -r»<i i»»i«* »» “j.H- W^w J
VU C'tsl^n^el&efleiJt'*! 7
*iaiIkto asJist you in expol-hr.ents, h
'p^TV ^
Sneaking' into
"TCt^» a-
i-
r
(rtcf litjjon'*'/ Gho'Sld'/ay'ha had
Uw
M^Vf
el*A, um^o
.. L. But the Bureau!* de:
'f Uc^6> 'KteCeCo. <t JL&&* 4
to Key 7/est ^ settle up uis obligj
C&* &&£■
I L.
other qualities not jo^dosir-
— ■■- ton* of tjjo-Kins
• it <£c KX-rt
desire to Got him hick JU-*1*-1
>r^
^.KiT^VirruX L .. .«»,» |
‘ ac^oVo^AaJl foTF:&t^-
p.cdU*ffe3>*'(fr &■ ******
tKTf fW*Jk
k^c> *£4c*«^ -
Thomas K. Edison, 33^. , I r X- .yj-tftt-v
u.
air-" *u
t-^
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
COPY
NAVY DEPARTMENT
BUREAU OP NAVIGATION
7 April 1919
MEMORANDUM for Assistant Seorotary :
PAUL DOHAID PANYE, Chief Klootrloian, while attaohod
to tho USS K-3 during the time that vessel was in Honolulu, in com¬
pany with another enlisted man from tho USS k-3, Broke into toe tomb
of one of the kings of Hawaii, stole tho skull of Ike king, tile sil¬
ver crown and oortain other artiolos. The two men molted down the
crown anddhsposod of it. For this offense ho was. reoommsndod for
trial hy General Court Martial hut about the tirao tho proceedings
started, he had Mr. Edison ask for his services in connection with
some experimental work. The Secretary direoted that court martial
proceedings he suspended and that Payne he transferred to tho BUson
Plant. After many weeks, due to the scattering of the witnesses the
Secretary direoted that the oase he dropped.
There is on file with the reoord of Payne consider¬
able oorrespondanoe dealing with hi3 failure to pay debts. Just
prior to his transfer to the Edison Plant he was stationed at Key
West. Upon his transfer from Key '.Vest he left behind a number of
debts vhioli he ha3 not yet paid. His return to Key 'West was directed,
first, because due to the large number of released which have been
made hi3 servloe3 were urgently required on his former station, and
second, because of the Bureau's desire to get him back to his station
in order that he might settle his obligations.
Hon. .Franklin D. Roosevelt,. .
Assistant Secretary of the Havy.
Washington, D-C.
Friend Roosevelt:
I have just returned from Florida
and your letter of April '^th in reply to ray telegram
in regard to Chief Jileotrioian Payne, has.'oeon handed
to me.' T want to thank you for your kind attention
in the matter.
r should he inclined to say, offhand, that
Payne is of no 'earthly use at key Wost. It was I who
wanted him to work on a gyroscope on which class of
work -he is ah expert. ’ This gyroscope, which is. very
peculiar, will, I think, permit automatic firing of the
guns on Dreednanght3 with much greater accuracy than by
manual firing, especially on long ranges. Previous to
Payne's transfer to Hey V.'est T had made several gyro¬
scopes and after many changes I was .lust finishing the
lust model, which I believe w ill he satisfactory. It
seems too had that it ecnnot be finished. I had offored
Payne $400 to work on it until his part was successful
and had advanced him on account $80. If ho were allowed
to finish the work he i3 more likely to pay his Hoy Wost
creditors as he would then have money.’ ,
I knew about Payne's escapade at Honolulu, but
feel convinced that he was led into It by his assooiate,
who was a machinist on. the same Submarine. This associate
is a typical Hun with a bad face.
I have Just received a letter from Payne and „
enclose it for your perusal. -Will you kindly return it
to me aftpr reading.
Sincerely yours.
April 14,1919
Hr. Paul Donald Payne,
U. S. Submarine Base,
hey v/ast, Pla.
Dear Ur. Payne:
I hove raoeived your letter of April
8th and aid not renly to it befoi'o.this because T
ranted to wait until Ur. Edison c one home. He has
lust arrived at the laboratory this morning and T
showed him your letter. He still rant^ to have you
returned to the Laboratory to finish up the Job that
vou were on. and he is trying “to arrange matters so
that this con be done.
I note that you. have returned the Hydrogen
Detector, addressing it for Mr. Warner. Ur. udiacn
is much obliged to you fop kindly attending to that
matter.
V/ith kind regards, I remain.
Yours vary truly,
and fours for the Victory Loan,
Assistant to Ur.' Edison.
A/6914.
April 19 , 1919.
_ Heard Admiral 7/. Strother Smith, U.S.II.,
Wavy Department.,
We shin art on, D.C.
I.!y dear Admiifcl:
Herev/ith I hand you our laboratory
bill in duplicate for experimental work at coat for
the period, .Tannery 51,1919, to March 31, 1919, amount¬
ing to Ji.428. 55.' This bill has been certified by .
Mr. Edison, and T shall be obliaroi if you will kindly
put it through for payment.
With kind regards. X remain.
Yours sincerely, ' -
and Yours for the Victory "oan.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
Enclosures.
A/6967i
ISavatl CosBrsnoiNG Board
OF THE XISITIil) SXWES
OFFICE OF THE SECUETAUY
i:j Park How. New York
April 83,1919
Mr. Thomas A. Edison
Orange , H . J .
My dear Mr. Edison:
At the last meeting of the Board Mr. Saunders
announced that Secretary Daniels had authorised him to arrange
to have a history of the Naval Consulting Board written and that
the cost of the work would, he paid for hy the Navy Department.
After a discussion it was decided to give the job to Captain
L.H. Scott who for several months acted as the' liaison officer
between the Naval Consulting Board and the Inventions Board of
the Army. Captain Scott was educated as a mining engineer and
has now returned to civil life Of course, the most interesting
part of the hock will he that which describes your own work, and
I hope therefore, that you will he able to give him as much time
as the importance of the work warrants. He is making his
headquarters in this office and I have given him access to everything
in the Board’s files.
Vfithin a few days he will telephone Mr.Meadowcroft
to ask for an appointment with you, With kindest regatds, I am
( I
(
NAVY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON
I.iy dear
Oho steam yacht HAUOLI , 3. P. 249, which
has been assigned hy the Havy Department to
Submarine work under your direction is to be
sold, Hie decision to sell this vessel, along
with a number of others of which the liavy came
into possession during the V/ar emergency is the
result of the most careful consideration and
has been the subject of much -thought on the part
of the Havy Department.
i'he condition of the H aval service at
present demands that no more auxiliary vessels
bo retained in commission than is absolutely
necessary.
It is therefore proposed to withdraw the
HAUOLI from her special work and to prepare her
for sale, unless her continuance in the same is
urgently required.
Acting Secretary of the Havy.
Hr. i’homss A. Edison,
Orange,
Hew Jersey.
f 9 0
Travail Consuming Boai®
OF TIKE UNITED StiTES
OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN
11 Broadway. New York
Thomas A .Edison, Eeq . ,
My dear Mr .Edison:-
, 1
Before Secretary Daniels went abroad he authorized ins
to employ some one to write a history, of /the Naval Con^ltip^-^
Board and Us work. Q
I brought the matter u*.^?(FQ<<3.%t!3^:’ihe^ipg
Board, and it was unanimously approved, placing \
my hands to select the writer. Ii'davp \
Oapt&in Soott, who was liaison offerer" oon|ec|edjg>U;g>the, Army
. ‘
Captain Scott is a civilian and is now retired J
Army. He is by profession a lawyer, but with considerable-technical
knowledge and instinct - a person of high character ’ ~
The Secretary told me that he would like to have
everything prepared for this book - all the experiments - and
that before it was published he would decide just what would be
released. His opinion was that it was likely that by the time
the book was ready everything would be released.
I have asked Captain Soott to arrange for an interview
with you as it is of the greatest importance that your work be
included in the book. I trust that this, will meet with your
approval.
Yours truly,
April 28,1919.-
Mr. W. i. Saunders,
11 Broadway,
Hew York, H.Y.
My dear Mr. Saunders:
I have received your lettor
of April 25th in resard to' the history of tho Ilaval
Consulting Board and its work. I am quite willing
to give Captain Scott all the information about my
work, but you will remember that I reported directly
to Secretary Daniels, and am not sure whether he would
wish to have the information about the experiments
disclosed at this time.
1 am still continuing work on a few of the
experiments.
Yours- very truly.
April 28,1919.
Hon. Franklin D. Roosevelt,
Acting Secretary bf the navy,
Washington,, D. C. _
lly dear Mr. Roosevelt:
(Ref. 28905-684)
I have received' your letter of
April 24th in regard to the steam yaoht Hauoli, S. P.
249, and note that she- is to he. sold.
r have been using the Hauoli for the continu¬
ance of the line of important experiments, in accordance
with the wishes of the Secretary of the navy. I am
making some progress, and if it is convenient I would
like to keep the vessel for three or four weeks
as I am having some devices made for trial on that particu¬
lar vessel.
When those particular tests have been made
T would like, if possible, to have assigned to me another
vessel of about the same kind, belonging to the ?°
which T could transfer my experimental work. A vessel
of 150 to 200 feet long, capable of making 10 to 12 knots
an hcur would be satisfactory for my work.
Will vou please advise whether I may count on
retaining the Hauoli for three or four weeks a5d
another vessel can be assigned to me dffcor the Hauoli is
Very sincerely yours.
A/7034.
IS NY CS 49 ML ^ MAy 4_1S
W H MEAE0WCU0FVua90RAT0RY THOSA EDISON ORANGE ltd
RECD NO ORDERS ALL GOATS GONE AM PRACTICALLY MARKING TIME
„ ratB,iY « ED180H HAS •*«**» * “*'*
WENT IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO ASSIST CONFIDENT YOU A
LOOKING AFTER MATTER WELL OUT WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH TO
CIRCUMSTANCES WILL YOU KINDLY WIRE ANSWER COLLECT
PAYNE MAY !>19 Y45 AM
ARRANGE!
Hon. Franklin D. Roosevelt,
Acting Secretary of the Havy,
Washington, D. C.
Friend Roosevelt:
. Perhaps you will remember you wrote
to me on April 9th, in reply to my telegram about Chief
iileotrician Payno. I wrote to you in reply on April
14th.
This morning I havo received the enclosed
telegram from Payne. It seems to be just about as I
surmised, namely, that they really had no use for Payno
at Key West. You will see by his. telegram that all
the boats are gone and that he has practically nothin*
to do.
It appears to me rather too bad that I crnnot
have Payne up hore to complete his work on which he has
been engaged with me for the Navy Department. I cannot
help thinking that the device 5 have partly finished wouj
be valuable to the Davy.
In viow of all the circumstances, don't you
think that Payne might be sent back to Orange to help
me complete the job?
Yours sincerely.
A/7009.
iSncl09ure.
P. S. For your convenience, I am attaching copy of your
letter of April 9th, together with memorandum.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
IfjL
U 1 4r±?- _
u^j (,tp ( CjCL &*ii tA**'
"Ctce, .
L£2& ' _
tEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON
WAY 9 |ojg
lercter bf ii
r„
</
" ^51/ H c"‘'f ^
j. ....-vlcknowledge the receipt 01 your lefcter bf i(^.
April 23th in regard to the steam yacht KAUOLI , S . - . 24S ,
It^wilfUbe^pSiTn±y— aga?«£ahla^to^the Havy department to con^(.p£^<.
tinue the ATOTOLI on her pres bnE-duty _wi th you until June 1st
at whioh/time it is the present intention~o^.-tae PeparJiAent
to institute negotiations for hez- isale^ ^^LUok
(• UsMvi juj. UxC / S
In order tlult you may haVe sclme vessel to which you coit-k
transfer your experimental work, I will direct tneimil.lv I*, /
S. P. 642, a vaoht now in the possession of the Ha ry , vn.tn.jr,
speed of about 12 knots, and a length of 144.2 feet water line,
to be turned over .to you on or about June 1st if, after you
have inspected her, you find her suitable for such duty.
I would request that you consult with the Commandant of
the Third Haval District, Rear Admiral, James lI. Glennon, V.
S. N. , 39th Street and Third Avenue, Brooklyn, N . Y. , so that
you may be afforded proper facilities to inspect this^vessel
in order that she may relieve the HAUOLI if found suiuable.
Admiral Glennon has been informed of the contents of this
letter and will do everything in his power to nelp you in tne
matter.
Very sincerely yours,
Aoting Secretary of the Havy.
Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,
Orange ,
New Jersey.
Kay 10,1919.
Hear Admiral G. E.- Burd,
Hew York Havy Yard,
Brooklyn, H.Y.
My dear Admiral:
You havo made for me in the Havy Yard
a device which I call a "Column Suspension" for use
with my other apparatus in pursuing my experiments on
the listening device.
I am informed that this is all completed and
lying on the Dock. We are all ready to have it put
in place on the U. S. S. Hauoli, S. P. 249. Liy young
man says that a special order will have to he issued by
you for this work of installation. May I ask you to
issue the proper order.
Lieutenant Harris, who is Captain of the Hauoli,
and my young man, John Hanley, know just rhut is to be
done and can direct the men whom you assign to the job.
If the installation can be done without delay. I shall
be very glad, as the AssistanieSdoretury of the Navy
informs me that the Government will dispose of the Hauoli
and I can onJ.y have the use of her for about throe weeks
longer. When she is sold, I expect they will assign
another boat to me, but I. am all prepared otherwise to
try out my experiments on the Hauoli.
Since roly yours.
A/7149
ffon. Franklin D. Roosevelt,
Assistant Socretary of tha t'avy,
Washington, D.C.
My doar Mr. Roosevelt:
You will undoubtedly rooall
that at the present time I am using tha Hauoli, S.P.
249. This vassal has just returned aftor vory
successful experiments whioh wore made 50 miles off
ilontauk Point in heavy seas. You will remember from
our roeent correspondence that I have been requested
to give up the Hauoli, and take in her dace the U.S.S.
Feleoia, Si. P. 642.
1 find that this boat, the Feleoia, has been
in eolliaSion and 15 feet of her bow was oarr 3 ed away.
The enclosed slip from bieut. Warron S. Harris, and my
man John A. Hanley, will explain in regard to this boat.
Is this the best that oan be done, or is it
the policy of the f.'nvy to stop further experimenting
on the protection of Haval vessels against submarines?
If the latter, I would' be glad to be informed, as I am
conducting these experiments at a considerable personal
sacrifice , and do not want to continue if the results
are reckoned iff no consequence.
Yours 3inoereIy,
Enclosure.
SO 0 05 - G 7 0- X 1
IST-A-VY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON
My dear Mr. Edison:
I fear you misinterpreted the Depart¬
ment's letter of May 21, 1919 in regard to sub¬
stituting another vessel for the HATOli.
As that vessel was in the list to be
sold and the FELICIA was to be retained it v.as
desired to substitute the latter vessel for the
former, if she was found suitable for your pur¬
poses, after an inspection by you.
in view of your letter of Hay 23th
the Department has decided to continue the HAU01I
in her work under you, for the present.
The Department fully appreciates your
work, and it desires to continue its assistance,
as far as possible, in the future as it has in the
past.
Sincerely yours,
Assistant Secretary of the ivavy.
Thomas A. Edison, Esq,. ,
Orange ,
. Mew Jersey.
ayuo-ooft
s 6/13 NAVY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON w,» g\
tt«ys p*r„£HnoS,H^'A» /
provable action of int3 0f its evident /
the reports flf1Qe Haval^erlonnel to the lowest /
desire to reduce Havai pe efficiency , and.
3§§&H,s*Ka?r
in order to make the reduction
aonnal, and *l3°* 3° a®n commission, thus ef-
the ^"“/nl^Raarvecoaony which is doing
forcKofusV the -nditions^f £0^1
‘"'s™ to dispense with U»
servioes of this vessel.
Very truly yours,
Secretary of the Navy.
Thomayi. Edison, Esl.
..-orange ,
Hew Jersey.
>fed ^ *~T\ '
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Hr-
J ^-LU/IJ t'CuS luecj h cl
iirvu('lcii £c£<-j Octitt-cC-i *
Otcl' 4-CllJ/ Uli 1 j /O-01 1 It /'*»-*• 'fCy'
’C-u) d-ijj it ct,l lois- -
LO-ct-i 'jltr m-,,
&ct^C£<-c<. O'? ,
f /
fy\jLccfrt>-LO Cci*ji c
Juno 17,1919
Hear Admiral W. Strother Smith, U.S.H., _/
finvy henortraant,
Washington, D-C.
L!y dear Admiral:-.
Enclosed I hand ..on Mr. ii:'iaor.tS
Inbox-story bill for experimental wort oovorinf? period,
'March 31,1919 to ’. of 21,1919, at cost, amountin.? to
io.24i3.83.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
Enclosures.
Juno 10,1919.
Hon. Josephus Daniels,
Tho Secretary of the Nuvy,
Washington, D.C.
Ky dear Ur.- Daniels:
I have received your letter
of June 16th, in regard to the Hauoli, S.P. 249.
The matter of releasing this boot was
brought up during your absence, and I have -already
raoorted that I could give up the Hauoli at any -
time the Havy Department desires, and that 1 could
transfer the experimental apparatus to any other
vessel of about the same size that the Havy, Depart¬
ment would certainly retain in service.
Yours very truly,
'A/7408.
Mr . Y/.II.Mead owor of t ,
Y/est Orange, II. J.
Dear Mr. Meadoworoft :
Submarine
Key Y/est,
Juno 85, ]
P
How that we have our nev/ shops nearly ready for occupancy I au
writing to request that you have ny tools sent down by express, at present
there is very little work ahead and we will not have Much to do for several
weeks when the new flotilla c olios. In the meanwhile I want to conduct a few
experinents and afterward I will he able to put in quite a lot of night
work.
I an very sorry that I was unable to complete the work on Mr. liais¬
on's device but hope he has had it finished by someone else.
The weather in -key Y/est is very warn just now and the mosquitos
are much too friendly, however if your part of Hew Jersey is up to the rep¬
utation of Hew Jersey at large we, in Florida, have no cause for complaint
on account of nosquitos.
Thanking you, and with kind regards Ian
B.S. I would also like to have you send the Uicltel flated experiment motor
which was put away with' uy apparatus .
Hon. -Josephus Daniels,
The Secretary of the Navy, .
Washington, D.C.
My- dear Mr. Daniels:
.Ever 3inoe the termination of the
War there hna been considerable discussion among
the Members of the Havel Consulting Board as to
vhat should be recommended in regard to i ts continu¬
ance or dissolution.
Several months ago I waa asked for my
opinion and I wrote a letter to Thomas- Hobirs, the
Seoretary of the Board. In order that you may
be informed as to what is being done T 3end you
herewith a oopy of my letter of February 4,1919.
Although the letter is several months old,
it is practically up to date. It was brought to
my attention again within the last few days to
ascertain if T had changed my opinion, but I fold'
Mr. Hobins that my views had not chunged.
Sincerely yours.
H/iA
Enolosure.
Hr. Paul D. J?aync,
Submarine Base,
Hoy West, Fla.
Dear Mr. Fnyne:
I must a si you to kindly pardon the
delay in answering your letter of June 2bth. We
have all boon pretty busy und you know hov; it goes
around here sometimes.
. Hr. Kdison was very sorry that he could
not have you returned here to help him complete his
experiments. Ho tried in many ways to have you do-
tailed up here, but nothing came of it. ^
In accordance with your request, I um
sending you your tool box. We were afraid that it
would not carry safely with the pleats that you had
put on it, so I am having a box made, and expect
it will bo shipped to you by prepaid express this
afternoon. Please let me anew if you receive it
safely.'
I showed your letter to I.ir. Kdison, and be
stated that he could not very well spare the small
nickel-piated experiment motor, und his understanding
i3 that this motor belongs to him.
'with kind regards, I remain.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Hr. Kdison.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY,
jf)
July 24, 1919.
My dear Hr. Edison:
I thank you very much for sending mo the article ,
"She Horal of Jutland When in Great Britain I talk¬
ed with a great number of yien, and also with the king
about Jellicoe's book. Hound the public opinion was
that he had made the mistake of his life in writing the
book. In order to explain why ho did not win the battle
of Jutland he discredited himself as a man chiefly re¬
sponsible for the construction of the Mavy, ana in peace
times he had been given the duty of building the great
fleet which had failed, and he convicts the administra¬
tive Jellicoe through failure in construction in order
to excuse the fighting Jellicoe through not winning
a victory. I should hate to be in his position. X
am very glad to get your letter, and to think your
diagnosis of the situation is correct.
I cannot tell you how deeply X regret not being
able to join you. Ford, and others on the trip this
summer. It seems I am fated to miss what I would en¬
joy more than anything in the world, but as the new
Pacific Fleet is to reach the Pacific about the date
you are to go on your vacation, I am compelled to be
there. It would be a great delight indeed to be with
Uy
wife joins in warm
regards
Sincerely yours,
Mr. Xhomas A. Edison
East Orange, Hew Jersey
July 26,1919.
Hon. Josephus Daniels,
Washington , D. C.
My dear Mr. Daniels:
I have received your letter of
July 24th, and have read with much interest your re
marks about Jellicoe.
Let mo assure you that your regret' in being
unable to get away on the camping trip with us is
fully reciprocated on my part. I am very sorry
that you cannot go, but shall hope for bettor luck
on some future oooasion.
Mv wife starts tomorro w for hor trip out
West, and wishes to join with me in kindest regards
to you and Mrs. Daniels.
Yours sincerely.
A/7604.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
July 28, 1919.
My dear Mr. Edieon:-
I thank you for your letter of
July 17th, and for enclosing me the one of February
4th. I note what you Bay shout the neceeeity of
having civilians in experimental work and the need
of the higheet grade of technical men in the country.
I feel sure your opinion on this question is right
and will hear in mind your wise suggestions.!**7 ^ct
r yours.
_ „ CU5&DCUAV«n . C
-*»**•& ■zZsrjzs- ^
fjl
Mr. Thomae A. EdiEon,
Orange, New Jersey.
August 14, 1919.
(Pour months ago you suggested my
oeriment with illuminating gas free from Bans
small metal tank, using it especially in col
gasoline is very hard to gasify or vaporize,
i I beg to report that your suggesi
»ith pure illuminating gas and several othes
oxy-acetylene .
When we use a valve synchronized
timing, that is to admit gas to the
in the firing position, it is Possibie to
hnttprv - even dry batteneB will operat
necessary^ press the button and break the
E. m. F .in the secondary will fire the gas
start engine i.every time without cranking.
v— The pipes must be very small - n
to drill-holes in the base of spark plugs t
and the gas pressure needunot be more than
violent explosion.
1 with the ignition
srs when the piston is
ise the smallest size
te - because it is onl
primary current and t
b in the cylinders anc
not over 1/16" - fitted
to the synchronized valve,
20 lbs to prevent a too
valve to the intake manifold. With this system y dU£J tQ thQ
importance, by reason of the the gas pressure in the
both systems from the gas tank open and close, witn gr
rd^he^englneVil? be cranked at high speed and at the ^time
& sanrsa"
ready to be started.
V In order to prevent breaking of this spring, it must
^of thd highest grade of spring steel.
Respectfully submitted,
WGR/hb
WAR DEPARTMENT
BUREAU OF AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION
DISTRICT OFFICE, FINANCE DIVISION
Yfa. Guy Ruggles, 168 W 73 H.
Thomas A.Edison, Orange, Hew Jersey «
Sub j e o t : KUGGLES orientator.
1. On January 19th, 1918 the United States Naval Con¬
sulting Board honored me to -the extent of appropriating money
to construct the first model of my invention, and demonstrate it.
I ^ ^ \a»-uLC e-'Crtt'C
3. Many impr overrents have followed which are incor¬
porated in the later models I have built for the Air Service^-.
/fair (Ox*. <fr> "2- -
4. I am told you were Been to enter a motion picture
theatre and remain while the indifferent pictures of this^^
l-rr
A
machine v/ere shown ,
ZT
5. The last of the machines X am building for the
Army Air Service are now nearing the final stages of assembly.
V/ould you oare to oome to the shop in Newark and see the last
word in this new branch of science in aotual operation before
they are shipped away to go into service at more distant points?
6. lir. Robins tells me he would like to join you if
you have the time to spare, and bring other members of the Board.
.A
P
*y\
Very sincerely your;
duv*
August 28,19
Mr. Wa>. Guy Ilugglcs,
168 .7 73d Street,
Dow York, k'.Y.
Doer Sir:-
Mr. iidioon has rooaivod your letter of
August 20th, but soya ho is net i'ur..i liar with all
the things dona by the ilaval Consulting Soard end
would like you to advise him just whet the mechirie
is that you are writing about.
Yours' very truly.
Assistant to Mr. £dis<
Soar Admiral W. Strother Smith, U.S.H.,
Wavy Department,
Washington, D.C.
My dear Admiral:
Herewith I am enclosing our Laboratory
bill in duplicate for experimental work done by Ur. Edison
for the period. Hay 31st, 1919, to July 31st, 1919, at
cost, amounting to $1,815.79.
Hr. Edison has certified the bill and duplicate,
and your usual good attention toward receiving chock for
the amount will be appreciated.
I trust you are well, and with kind regards,
remain,
Sincerely yours,
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
Enclosures - 2.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
AJ. ... R.pl, I.
DISTRICT OFFICE, FINANCE DIVISION
DUREAU OF AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION
New York City
WGH/bh
WAR DEPARTMENT
ANCE DIVISION
August 29
1919 .
From:
Vfa. Guy Ruggles, 168 \7 73 IT Y .
X° •' Thomas A.Edison, Orange, Hew Jersey.
Attention Hr .Headowcrof t .
Subject: RUGGLES ORIEHTATOR.
Your letter of August 28th i3 before me. X thank
you for the courtesy .
This invention opens up the posihilities of an
an entirely new field. The process of systematically developing
especial faculties in man as a preparation for the rapid and
safe assimilation of flying instruction seems to be a3 new as
the invention .
3. The inclosed clipping from a rescent issue of
Aerial Age will give Hr. Edison a eomprahensive idea of "just
what the machine is th&t I am writing about
4.
As there is nothing like it in any of the foreign
countries, and his Board supplied me the money to build the first
one, it occured to me that perhaps he would like to examine the
latest model .
Please refer also to my letter of August 20 .
Very
l' Op-14- B-ES 9/9
NAVY DEPARTMENT
'WASHINOTON
Sf P [ 0 ' H 1 0 >
/ >
xp
P
y
My dear Mr. Edison:
It is with great regret that X feel it
necessary to inform you that the HA.UOLI ,
S. P. 249, now detailed for certain experi¬
mental work under your direction, must he
withdrawn from this detail and prepared for
sale. This vessel is one of the very few
which have not, as yet, been demobilized,
and her retention in her present detail is
no longer possible. It is my intention to
direct the Commandant of the Third Naval Dis¬
trict to decommission her and prepare her for
sale on the 20th instant and X take this op¬
portunity of giving you advance notice in
order that you may remove from her such ex¬
perimental apparatus that, is not the property
of the Government. .
With conditions in the Navy as now- exist,
particularly as ooncerns paucity of personnel,
it will not be possible to give you any assur¬
ance of the detail of a vessel to take the
place of the HA.U0LI.
I beg to extend to you now the thanks of
the Navy for the efforts you have made to BOlve
the difficult problems you have had in view
while using the vessels which have been plaoed
at your disposal, and I assure you that it is
with sinoere regret that I have felt impelled to
make the decision whioh thus deprives you of the
continued use of the HAtTOLI.
Very sincerely yours,
kotZagitevcfteZy ^tli^Navy.
Thomas A, Edison, Esq.,
Orange,
New Jersey.
Sept. 15.191S.
Hon. Franklin D. RooBovolt,
Acting Soorstury of the Havy,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Roosevelt:
I have received your letter of Septembor
10th. . .
As the "Hauoli" has bean constantly breaking
down, making it impossible to kdep her running long
enough to finish any experiment, I agree with the idea
that the Government should dispose of her.
Since you do not volunteer to substitute
any of the other numerous vessels which the Government
owns and does not intend to sell, I infer. that the
Bureau of tlavol Operations desires that X should stop
any further experiments.
I will, therefore, remove the apparatus
immediately and close my connectipn with the Government.
, Yours very truly.
HAA
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Rear Admiral G.h.Burd,
Havy Yard,
Brooklyn, N.Y.
My dear Admiral:1-
By request of Ur. Roosevelt,
Aoting Secretary of the Navy, I am giving up
the "Hauoli", as the Government, is going to
sell her, and it looks as though I were about
at the end of my work for the Havy Department.
You will remember that I had a motor
boat fitted up with an electric motor and some
of my storage batteries. You wore kind onough
to facilitate my getting this. I had contemplated
making use of it in connection with my experiments
on the "llauoli".
This motor boat is now at the Havy Yard,
but I would like to send over and take the batteries
out qf her. Wi 11 you kindly lot mo know when
it will bo agreeable to you to Jiave me 3end cur
men, and advise me as to where they should go
and to whom they shall report-.
With kind regards, I remain,
Yours si no e roly,
TSaIM- CtHTSUMlNG BOAKB
OF THE UNITED STATES
OFFICE or THIS SECRUTARY
13 park How, New York
October 8th, 1919.
Mr. Wm. H. Mead owcroft,
o/o Edison Laboratories,
■7. Orange, U. J.
Leer Mr. Mead owcroft:
Enclosed please find copy of the
had to take these notes under ooneioerable
tw“n° Mr? Edis^a^d Myself , °w£Ic£ be coulo
as a guide to some of the infarction which we
would like to have for the book.
77e would appreciate it if you would
o» n t .e ooT arid with such details as you
may "think we should have in order to make the
matter clear to those reading the book.
As the book is nearing completion
LHSjDC
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
vi -
VII -
VIII-
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XIII -
XIV -
XV -
Organization
Industrial Preparedness Campaign
Fuel Oil
Ship Proteotion Committee
Special Problems Committee
laboratory
Functions of Various Organizations, eto.
Report on new Maval Base, Paoifio Coast
Inventions from the Public
Meritorious Inventions from the Publio
Branch Offioes
A o o ompl i Bhment s
Conclusion
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Capt. Ecott telle me that while the hook la to ho publiBhod under your authority,
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publisher and plaood on eale. I am writing now to oak if the above la correct,
and whether you desire me to furnish my material to Capt. Eoott in accordance
therewith.
(2) Hy second question in this: During the oour30 of
my work I prepared two obarts showing grapliicully (a) the density of daily steam
ship traffic in and out of the porta of the British Isles, and (b) the same as
regards tho porta of the United E baton. Shone charts aro the result of an lumen
amount of research and labor and 1 think they might be of some value to the Hero
iiurinu. Do you aoe any objection .to mjr furuiehing blue prints of those two char
to the Jtaritime Exchange and to Marine Insurance Associations, or to bodies
similarly Interested V
I am going to ask Hr. J.J. Butler to hand this letter
youin order that it may come to your attention uoon, as Capt. Scott is anxious t
have the material above mentioned.
Sincerely yours,
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
Hovomber 4, 19X9.
T.Ty dear Mr. Edison
I am in receipt of your favor of
October 3Cth, in which you ask about the book which
Captain Lloyd N. Scott is preparing. The Haval Consult¬
ing Board employed Captain Scott with my approval to
write the history of the Haval Consulting Board since
its organization. I agreed with Mr. Saunders it was
a very good thing to put in permanent form a story of
the organization of this Board, of its devotion to the
country and its snecial contributions and the line of
investigation which its members had pursued. My under¬
standing was that Contain Scott was to interview members
oi~ the Board and otherwise obtain information that would
moke the book accurate and reliable, and in pursuance
of this Captain Scott was to call on you. Captain Scott
was as I am informed, at one time in the army and he
holds everything he receives in confidence and is esteemed
as a reliable and capable man and a gentleman.
There is some confusion about what Admiral Smith
offered Captain Scott. He gave him a list of the particu¬
lar items of work upon which you have been engaged, accord
in* to information that is in the office of Admiral Smith,
but he did not give him access to files of your correspond
enoe. Such of these as you wish Captain Scott to see will
be shown him upon your request.
It seems Mr. Saunders wishes Scribners to publish
the work after it is approved by the Secretary of the
Havy. Of course what you shall decide to give to Captain
Scott I leave entirely with you.
Sincerely yours,
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, Hew Jersey.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
4th of Hovomber
19 19
Ky dear I.!r . Edison:
I have Riven a great deal of thought to the
laboratory in the last month, and have carefully gone
over the final report of the llaval Consulting Board,
a copy of which I am enclosing lor your ready lexer-
This report is signed by lie. Saunders as
Chairman and X am informed received a unanimous vote
°t one of the meetings. Shis report has been submit¬
ted to rav technical advisors and approvod by all of
them. ‘ j'ith the idea of concentrating work, X cave
directed the closing up of various outlying activites
including the llew London Experimental Station. ■‘■be
necessity, however, for systematic research and ex¬
perimental wo rh is apparent and under peace time con¬
ditions.
Ehe location mentioned in the report is fam-
iliar to you and seems to meet the greatest number of
conditions. It is government owned land and under the
jurisdiction of the Davy Department, so no formalities
have to bo observed. She purchase of land anywhere
would not be authorised by Congress and no lanu can bo
purchased except by direct appropriation. She silo
is also in the District of Columoia ana, eonsidoiing
past experience in conducting experimental woik else¬
where, the laboratory will receive more substantial
sunuort here. So much other research work is done
in* tho District that duplication of effort will be
avoided and co-operation greatly effected.
She plans have been thoroughly discussed
by the technical bureaus and, in addition to the gen¬
eral outline shown in the report, a pier leudingto
twenty- two foot of water is projected. Duiing the
T/ar, considerable work was done in laying railroad
Lir . Ehos.A .Edison , II ov • d ,1919 .
tracks ana roads on the property for ordnance stores
and tho above mentioned pier is under contract in that
connection, and the whole involves only a comparative¬
ly small sum out of the laboratory appropriation, and
under the present conditions every item of economy must
be observed.
With tho laboratory hero it will be accesible
to a larger number of naval officers and experts in the
Bureau of Standards and other scientific and practical
men than can be permitted elsewhere upon government own¬
ed land and they can thus come much closer in touch with
civilian scientists. I have directed thnu detailed
plans be drawn up, but have not given pualicity to this
until I could acouaint you with all the arguments pl-ceu
beforo mo.
,rou were evidently influenced by the conditions obtain-
ine- at that time, but I feel that you will agree with
me that, while conditions have changed, tho n°cossity_
of research still exists and that a close relationship
between the naval and civilian scientist is woithj of
enc o urageinont .
X hope that you will approve of tho Consult¬
ing Board’s report, it has met with considerable praise,
and wm aid in th4 inauguration of an establishment yon
have so ably advocated. Jill you please \/rite me.
Sincerely yours,
Hr. Ehomas A. Edison,
Orange, Hew Jersey.
(Enclosure)
November 7,19X9.
; ; ; ;PK3S0HAL: : : :
Friend Daniels:
I have not changed my mind in the least
If Naval offioers are to control ^ “he rosui
ajs*£. « °»
system of education at Annapolis.
When you aro no longer Secretary and have
SSiS.'SHS «•
llr. Saunders' list of tools and the ideas
relating^to^knowledg^of'the^teohnique^of subjects
he talk! about. He is a busxness man only.
I cannot believe that the Board voted unani-
Havy and of Havul offioers, both of vvnion
laboriously studied.
suaiHsrSiraEwSa-
of Naval officers.
I do not believe that there »» »”• on9
oreutivo mind produoel at Annapolis in three years
~ anfthls man, by the system employed, ha^not^the
slightest ohance of over being kno^n tharo aro
S~l*l .Milt,. «5S%£S“5."Sa. Sr.”u” find.
probably not more than 500 really vo if thero
in the whole population of ^ office or the
is, their, work never roaches the Pat £ °“*aagBohu3eU3
technical publications. 11 tne Kre
Institute of Technology, with '3,000 st.udents, only
produces one creative mind occasionally, how can one
expect Annapolis to produce any, especially, as if one
were produced, the Ilaval system prevents it from boinr
Let me soy that there is one Bureau and I
think the only one at Vtashington that has functioned
properly and produced valuuble results during the V.'ar
and that is the Bureau of Standards. The head of this
Bureau is a remarkable man.
If you still think you want the Laboratory
at Vr shington and under Haval officers, go uheud and
let the Kaval Consulting Board apnrove of it under
Saunders as Chairman, but please do nbt have my name
connected with it, because it could just as well be
left out without attr- cting any attention. I will
not take the slightest offense.
-y wife and I join in cordial regards to
lira. Daniels and yourself.
Sincerely your3,
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November 13,1919.
Roar Admiral W. Strothers Smith, U»3.N.,
Navy Department,
Washington, D.C.
liy dear Admiral: t .
Herewith X hand you in duplicate, Ur. Edison's
final hill for the Laboratory cost of experimental work
for the Navy Department, aovoring period August 1,1919.
to November 1,1919, amounting to 5917.81.
I shall bo- glad if you will kindly give this
your usual kind attention and have a chock sent to mo
in due time.
With kind regards, I remain.
Sincerely yours,
Assistant to Ur. Mi son.
Enclosures.
New York, November 28th, 1919
Thomas A. "Edison, Esq.,
Edison Laboratories,
Orange, N. J . ntion of Mr ?;ead nwcrof t .
Dear Mr. Meadowcroft :
Under separate cover 1 am sending you
two rubber stamps and a stamp pad which you left with me on
Monday .
1 have been to Scribner's and stamped all
the photos and blue prints with these stamps in accordance
with your request .
With kind regards.
Deeembor 2,1919,
Capt. Lloyd H. Soott,
63 Hull Street,
Haw York. H.Y.
Dear Captain Scott:
Allow me to acknowledge receipt of your letter of
Hovembor 20th, and to thank you for your kind attention to the
small matters whioh wore left to be disposed of.
During our oonvoraation on Monday of last weak, you
said you had been informed by Saar Admiral .-aria that tha tiavy
had a wuter-ponetruting projectile which would prooeod in c
straight line under water and strike a terirot. if such is the
fact, it ia only Justice to Mr. Kdison to ouy that tho Tlavy must
have developed auoh a type of projectile since ho suggested it
early in tho year 1917, and carried into actual pruotica on a
small scale later in tho same yoar.
Even as lute as liovombor, 1917, tho tiavy did not have
suoh a shell. In that month Mr. Kdison and I went to Soar
Admiral Earle's office. During tho conversation ha told Mr.
Edison that -tho tiavy had a shell whioh would enter the water
without ricoohot, and described it as a blunt-noBe projaotlle.
Mr. Edison said ho wa3 parfootly funiliur with that typo of
projootilo, but it did not accomplish tho rosults ho had obtained.
This blunt-noso projectile would enter tho water without ricocho^,
but on going bolow the ourfaao of the water it might go in uny
direction, - no one oould tell in what direction, - whereas his
(Mr. Edison's) typo of projoctilo would ati-ike the water, prooood
under v;ator in the direot line of firo and hit a target with
destructive offeot. Admiral Earlo 3aid ho had 'not thoroughly
undorstood this point before.
A few days lator, on Hovembor 26,1917, Soar Admiral
Karlo wrote to Mr. Edison, saying: "I shall he glad to to3t the
shell you propose, and determine suitublo bulliutiJS fbr the
same". Tn the sume letter, Soar Admiral Eerie also said: "It
will givo mo pleasure ot any time to show you tho direction taken
by the blunt-noso sholl on utrlking tho water".
In view of our oonvorsa-
Naval C*mstomn<5 Boaew
OF THE rMT!:i> STATUS
Deo. 13, 1919
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, H.J.
Dear Sir:
There is enclosed herewith copy of
resolution authorized at informal meeting of the
Board held in Hew York, Dec. 12th.
On account of press of time will you
signify your assent to this resolution by wire and
also supplement this assent by returning the copy
of the resolution signed by you together with any
oomments you wish to make.
December lb.lbl
Hr. Thomas Robins,
Secretary, Naval Consulting Board,
13 Part Row,
Hew York, H.Y.
Dear Mr. Robins:
Mr. Edison received your letter of
December 13th, with the enclosed copy of Resolution
as to the increase of pay of Naval officers. I have
sent you the following telegram from him:
1 11 1 Resolution os to
increase of salary of Naval
officers approved.
Thos.A.EJison"
In addition, the copy of the Resolution,
sent to Hr. Edison, is herewith roturned.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Hr. Edison.
Enoli
Doc.
31, 1919.
W. L. Saunders, Esij.
11 Broadway,
N.Y.O.
My dear Mr. Saunders:
With roforenoe to our rocexit conversation
concerning Naval awards, I v/ish to make it clear to you that I
would consider it moot Inappropriate for the award of tho Distinguished
Service Medal or the Davy Cross tohe made to tho members of our
Board.
In the first place, the law, as I recall it,
states that those av/ards wore to be made to officers and men ",l,n_the
Services". 'i'he members of the Haval Consulting Board, are not legally
"in tho Service." They have no commissions, rank or rating; they
wear no uniform and— as tiioy draw no pay, they are not even in tho
Naval Service to the same extent as are the Secretary and -“•aslstant
Secretary of the Navy and tho civilian omployeos of tho Department,
therefore, I believe it to bo entirely illegal for them to receive
either one of those regularly established awards.
In the second plaoo, these medals and crosses
are recognized objectives and emoluments of tho regular Naval career.
They rightly belong to none but men who have thrown in their lot with
the Navy. Their value would be lessoned by thoir being awarded to
civilians, and such award to civilians would reduce tho number to be
'j'""
/ :
distributed among Haval officers and mon.
Although I feel that the services of the members
of our Board have earned some suitable recognition. 1 do not feel for
the reasons stated, that we are entitled to either the Distinguished
Service Medal or the ifavy Cross, and I would return such award if it
were made to me.
As to want a suitable recognition would, be, I
have given no thought. It might be an honorary commission pronorly
oanoeUed, or a polite letter of thanks; or, it might bo the acceptance
of our recommendations as to the organisation of a Research Bureau in
the fiavy to which would be assigned the operation of the laboratory.
lets or ways m which we might be recognized ana pleased
which would not bring down upon our heads the animosity of the Service,
as certainly would be done by giving us medals and honors intended sole¬
ly for its regular members. I do not feel that the Board as an organ¬
ization has been a great success, or that as a body, it should be legal¬
ized or perpetuated, but its members have done some very valuable work
at very great personal sacrifice. »hoy have felt their own coward
and if they receive no other, the reflection will lie upon the Adminis¬
tration, rather than upon them.
If, as .you mi;; , you oxpoct to discuss this
matter with the Secretary, I hope that you will make it clear that at
least one member of our Board would be as unwilling to accept an award
which rightfully belongs to Buval officers and mon, as he would be to
accept a part of their pay or mess allowance.
Yours vory truly,
TROtMS nCOli'.j
TR/a.B
Naval Consulting Board and Related Wartime Research Papers
Subjects -- Experiments (1919)
This folder contains correspondence, financial documents, and technical
notes relating to research conducted by Edison on various projects for the
U.S. Navy and U.S. Army through October 1919. Some of the documents
pertain to an automatic star gauge developed to measure cannon bores.
Other letters, exchanged with the office of the Chief of Ordnance, concern an
inquiry about the authorization of payments to Edison. At the end of the folder
is a statement of the total amount billed to the Army and Navy for each
research project since the beginning of the war, along with lists of code
designations and staff who worked on war-related research The statement
indicates that approximately $107,000 of the $238,000 grand total was billed
for submarine detectors.
Approximately 40 percent of the documents have been selected
including all of the substantive correspondence, a small number of technical
notes directly relating to Edison, and about half of the financial material.
Unselected documents include calculations and drawings by other
experimenters (most of whom are unidentified), various printed tables and
specifications, payment forms issued by the Army and Navy in connection
with Edison's expense claims, and correspondence about minor accounting
questions handled by Edison's personal assistant William H.Meadowcroft and
by Richard W. Kellow of the Secretarial Service Dept, of Thomas A. Edison,
Inc.
THOMAS A. EDISON
ORANGE, N. J.
LABORATORY. '
United States Government,
Anv Departnsnt,
Washington, D. C.
NOTICE
lr'in‘ calJ of foil or dam...,
re«iplcd'(or0 ,ood« in fir.t ci.i.
January SI, 1919.
Experimental work In Laboratory on devioes listed
herein over period of iJoTatbar 30, 1910, to January
31, 1919, at oosti
Laboratory
600-10
600-11
5746
UaBorlutlon.
Plating Searchlight Refleotora
Antoaatlo Star Gauge - Ordnanoe Dept
Lestruotlon of Wire Entanglements
.17
1,255.99
195.79.
1,451.95
1 certify that the above bill Is true and oorrect.
Prom:
To:
Subjei
ATTENTION OF MH. V/. H. EEADOTOHOFT.
receipt dated March 10, 1917
1. This office holds -
signed personally by Mr. Edison foy,-
2 Eadio sets, table type 250 watt,
500 cycle, Hos. 46 and 47
2 Masts, radio type "S"
2 Badio motor generators, 110 volt, DC,
129115, 129119,
vflrikoh was shipped to you on memorandum receipt;.
2. It beine assumed that the property under discussion has
served the purpose for which it was issued, it is requested^ it be
returned and tnia office advised date and method of its return.
O'-*' \\ I
March 10,1919.
Major Charles &. Coates,
General Supply Depot,
Signal Corp3,
Fort Wood,
Hew Ycrh Harbor, 11. Y.
Doar SI r: -
I received your letter of February 27th,
in regard to the two radio sets which wore loaned
to Mr. Edi son March 10th, 1917.
Mr. Edison is spending a few wools in
Florida, and I sent your letter down to him for
instructions.
1 have just received a note from him stat¬
ing that he is not quite through with these two
radio sets, and he will be obliged, if you can let
him retain them a while longer. ' ^
Respectfully yours.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
A/6728.
THOMAS A. EDISON
7 ORANGE. N. J.
LABQRAECBY
Sold to Baited antes Government,
Washington, D. 0,
. V / il/i'! ThJ
Marsh 31, 1919. .
Experimental worlc in Laboratory on devices listed heroin
over period January 31, 1919, to Borah 31, 1919 - m OOSg
Laboratory
Order Ho. Description
6006 Submarine Detector,
6013 Phonograph Hange Finder,
6699 Submarine Strategy Experiments,
600-8 Special work by B. H. Silver,
$2,364.66
48.88
832.16
-i.aga.a?
1 certify that the above bill Is true end correct
end that payment tharefor has not been received.
April 4,1919.
Lt. Col. 0. J.Gatohell, U.S.A.
Offioa of the Chief of Ordnance.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-' Reference O.'O. no. 154/S16 Edison,? A-
„ , You5 letter of April 2d' in regard to Mr.
®di3°n f \oucbsr ffor #M81.96 has-been received. Mr.’
1a*LP1?rid? a°d wil1 not return until later
thntht>„. « ill’ Yt* i" hl3 ab88nce 1 °an inform you
« i°rlty f°r th63e expenditures was given by
Secretary Baker more than a year ago. 5 y
, . was at that time conducting some
afkldih?StLf?rt?he tQVy DeP0;rtrnent and Secretly Baker
for Q0ndu0t 30®e other experiments
bu? Mr L !PMtT ' =fo™al order was issued.
Secre£arv °" tbe"0T* 1" accordance with
Baker's letter. The amount charged is
merely the exact Laboratory cost.
y oar , "and @ha ve ^e en^paiJ^°^& ^m®n ^ ” ur ing^h o "la s t Ve
fours very truly,
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
FJS/klt
-U.%
' THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE
April 16, 1919.
From: Ordnance Offioe, Qhief of Administration Division.
So: Hr. Shomas A. Edison, Orange, Hew Jersey.
Subject: Voucher, $1,451,95 - Beforenoe 0,0. F. 154/316.
1. Your letter of April 4th received.
2. It is noted that you state that no formal order was issued
to you by the Y/ar Department for the work carried on in your laboratory,
but that the work was done in aooordanoe with Secretary Baker's letter.
It is also noted that you state that other similar vouchers have al¬
ready been paid.
3. A most oaraful search has been made of all rooords of the
Ordnanoe Department and the records of the Office of the Secretary of
War. She vouchers referred to have Iheen found,. , Eheae were
signed personally by officers of high rank, - one of whom is in this
country and the other abroad. Ho officer can be found in Washington
who knows anything whatever regarding these transactions and is there¬
fore willing to certify to the work.
4. Please appreciate that the Department is anxious to pay this
acoount, but that we must fix some basis to which the certifying offioer
can refer as his authority. She voucher does not indioate, and no one
in the Department seems to know whether any materials were produced
as a result of this work or not, and, if materials were produced, their
disposition is uncertain and the signing of the voucher establishes a
property accountability whioh no offioer is willing to assume without
some knowledge of the disposition of these nateriala.
5. Shis explanation has been trade at length in order that you
may appreciate the necessity for obtaining more information regarding
this work.
6. Will you kindly supply copy of any semblance of authority
whioh you may have reoeived? And, will you kindly indioate what dis¬
position, if any, was made of these materials and mention any offioer
1U.
c,vv,-, i(^ .«<** «H
UKuj AcXct fc-4 - <9 ec<As n
L ^ *5
. due ClJa (.ul^ V'd'
euu~. -i-* «
/u
. /
/ ^ £-arfu~vt> in etd<> -
6.1HU4H t/>J /i
Vi -
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Cl/fet c'dD -
0 ■di/fcr'
V/ */
)}[£. a-jt> *-**
• ' y y
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
April 23, IV 19.
Prom: Thomas 4. Edison, Orange, II. J. ''
To: Ordnance Off ioe. Chief \>f Administration Division.
Subject: Votfoher, Si, .451. 95, Heforer.ee 0.0. P. 154/316.
1. Your letter of April 16th was roceived.
2. I can only say in regard to the above voucher
that my Laboratory worjc was done in pursuance of personal
talks I ’had with Secretary Baker and Brigadier General
Crozier.and letters subsequently received from them and
from the Assistant Secretary of V;ar.
5. I quite appreciate .that the Department is desirous
of paying the' account, but must necessarily have the proper
authority. If it seems desirable to’ withhold payment until
the officers of high rank, mentioned by you. return to this
country, T shall make no objection as I realize that payments
of this" Lind must be properly authorized.
4. Let me add that the experimental work covorod by this
and previous vouchors did not entail the production of materials,
but merely experimental devices which were valuable only as
related to the particular experiments.
6. Por your information, I enclose copy of correspondence
passed with Secretary Baker, .Brigadier General Crozior and
Assistant Secretary Crowell.
A/7005. '
P.S.6. Allow me to add that there was one thing produced in
my Laboratory experiments that has been- delivered to the Officers
at Aberdeen, namely, the automatic ..star gauge for measuring the
bore of guns. ,
Teclini cal Staff
May 8', 1919
. Prom: Ordnance Committee,
Technical Staff.
To: Edison laboratories, West Orange, H. J.
Attention of Mr. Theodore M. Edison.
Subject: DECISION ON EDISON AUTOMATIC STAB GAUGE.
1. The automatic star gauge originated by the
Edison laboratories and submitted to the Instrument
Section of the Aberdeen Droving Grounds to be used in
conjunction with the star gauging of guns has been
investigated,
2. You are informed that the Ordnance Committee
desires that no further work be done on the development
of this gauge.
f
By order of the Chief of Ordnance.
? C/ -h
Col. C. VH. -higgles.
Chief of the Technical Staff,
Office of The Chief of Ordnance,
'.Vashinartcn, B.C.
Inference: O.O. '.Yar Beyt. 415. 6 / 165:
1. Your letter of Liey 8th has been received.
I merely ddvised the gaugo and forwarded the 3ample to
your poonle at Aberdeen at their request. I have
done no work on this matter since.
Yours very truly.
A/7168.
THOMAS A. EDISON
ORANGE, N. J.
United States Oovoramant,
1 C°We do not insure djUvei^or
acperimental wo A In Laboratory on davlcos listed herein
over period fetch 31. 1919, to lfey 31. 1919. at coat.
Msaarino Dofcoatov
Hfctrosou Filiation
Ottoneiine Sfcrafc osy 2sg?oi*lEiontu
I oertlty that the above hill lo U
and corroot, and that payment hna not he an rooolvad.
»
July 1,1919.
Lieut. Merwin Arps,
Communication Offioer, Radio Service, U.S.U.,
44 Whitehall Street,
Dew York, H.Y.
Dear Sir:-
In confirmation of Mr. Meadoworoft' 3
telephone meaBage to you this afternoon, I beg
to renort that the installation of the radio
equiDment hore at my Laboratory has been completed
by Chief Electrician Sweeney and Radio Operator
Delsonv
I wish to use this equipment in oonriec-
ti on with oortain experiments that I am making
at the request of the Sooretary of the Davy, and
I shall need an Operator for slat or eight weeks.
In accordance with your request. I have
asked Chief Electrician Sweoney to report to your
office tomorrow, and in aocordanco with your per¬
mission Radio Operator Kelson will remain here
until you detail some one to stay, about six or
eight weeks. It will be entirely agreeable to
me if Radio Operator Kelson should be the man whom
you detail for that service, but I would not assume
to offer thia aa a request. I think that if this
matter is brought to the attention of. the Secretory
of the Kuvy he will undoubtedly authorixo the detail¬
ing .of on Operator for the period above-mentioned.
Respeotfully yours, .
A/7472.
THOMAS A. EDISON
ORANGE N. J.
LABOHA.TOHT
Uni tod Staten Qovornnent,
Hary Department,
Washington, D. C.
August 1, 1919.
Srporlmontal work In Laboratory on devices listed herein
over period May 31st, 1919 to June 30th, 1919 at oosti
Laboratory
Order Ho. Dannrlntlon
6005
Submarine Deteotor
$1407.18
5699
Submarine Strategy
$1500.66
1 certify that the store bill Is true and
correct and that poymont has not been rooelved.
►
THOMAS A. EDISON
ORANGE, N. j.
UB0B4.T0HT
Sold to
United States Government,
Bevy Department,
Washington, D. C.
Ootohor 31, 1919 •
Experimental 5*
in over period August 1st*
at coat#
H _
gOOD Submarine Detector
6013 Phonograph Hange Finder
6699 Submarine Strategy Experiments
761.17
31.66
2. 98
600-12 Wireless
917.01
X certify that the above bill Is true and correct
and that payment baa not been received.
)
C
THOMAS A. EDI SQM . PERSOHAL
BILLED 50
OCTOBER
51. 1919
5005
5009
5010
5011
5012
5013
5014
5016
5045
5047
5082
5090
5092
5094
5107
5133
5145
5147
5153
5171
5181
5211
5234
5245
5251
5273
5291
5292
5450
6452
5454
5536
5575
5746
5765
. . 600t6
\ 600-7
60048
600-9
600-10
600-11
600-12 •
Submarine Deteotor
Chalk Telephone
Submarine Funnel
DeForrest Wireless
Photography
Phonograph Range Finder
Telescope
Visibility
Shell Trajeotory
Miotophone
Gun Protection
Fire-extinguishing Apparatus
Battle Ship Fire Protection
Torpedo Motive Power
Extension Mast
Submarine Hydrogen Deteotor
Submarine Light
Trench Material
Trench Fire
Visual Signalling
Submarine Gun
Visual Bange Finder
Aeroplane Detection
Hitrogen Fixation
Muzzle
Fresh Water from Sea Water for Buoys
Signal Light Shutter
Aeroplane Bomb Thrower
Speed of Distant Ships Indicator
Periaoope Sighting
Slow-burning Powders
Ship Protection against Torpedoes
Aeroplane Construction
Invisibility of Freighters
Telehood (shield for eyes, for observation
Underwater Explosions
Color Interference on Painted Ships
Anthraolte Coal Test
Smoke Shells
Submarine Strategy Experiments
Destruction of Wire Entanglements
Finely-divided form of Trinitrotoluol
Looation of Laboratory
Protective Steel
* Experiments with Dr. Soheele
Field Conmunioation under Shell Fire
Plating Searohlight Befleotors
Automatic Star Gauge (Ordnance Dept)
‘ .Wireless
107,859.21
613.44
1,916.60
3.778.88
151.47
19,471.28
497.72
4.669.89
4,770.33
8,484.31
334.78
290.05
668.61
127.66
1,151.52
6,803.69
126.44
63.73
72.37
381.93
53.29
614.25
4,931.79
1,391.06
217.35
134.37
292.43
873.94
264.51
1,485.00
276.97
167.58
109.67
12,913.91
103.03
183.69
296.27
1,444.35
4,200.49
16,550.85
26,348.97
149.36
37.21
46.51
2,290.46
7.74
170.19
1,324.60
122.10
on water)
Total S238.235
dltJr &1iXx~c£tFt
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C'-Ci't-C/T-
/D-JL. Clns^o
Naval Consulting Board and Related Wartime Research Papers
Correspondence (1920)
This folder contains correspondence and other documents pertaining
to Edison's relationship with the Naval Consulting Board (NCB) during the
postwar period. The correspondents include NCB chairman William L.
Saunders and secretary Thomas Robins, Secretary of the Navy Josephus
Daniels, Navy Dept, liaison W. Strother Smith, and President-elect Warren G.
Harding. Included are items regarding Edison's offer to decline a Navy medal
that Daniels planned to award him; his lack of interest in participating in
further meetings about the proposed Naval Research Laboratory; his threat
to complain to Congress about the Navy's rejection of new ideas and
technologies; and his advice to Harding on what qualities the next Secretary
of the Navy should possess. Other topics include the publication of Capt.
Lloyd N. Scott's Naval Consulting Board of the United States-, Edison's
reluctant agreement to attend the NCB anniversary dinner; his response to an
inquiry about Walter T. Scheele, a German chemist who worked during the
war with Bruce R. Silver; and his correspondence with inventor and
philosopher William A. Crawford-Frost about anti-torpedo nets.
Approximately 50 percent of the documents have been selected. The
unselected items include unsolicited correspondence, routine administrative
documents, and material pertaining to internal organizational matters not
directly related to Edison.
i
January 3,1920.
Friend Daniels:
I enclose copy of a letter I received today.
They tell me you have awarded me a pedal.
Probably that is the reason of this lettar. Possibly
this action will cause you trouble. If it does, with¬
draw it for any reason which sounds plausible. I roally
don't value such things and will not be in the Isast
offended if you dispose of it in some way that will stop
this squabble:
My experiences during the last 2k years I was
out of my Laboratory has 3hown mo that there are more
small minded people in high positions than I was aware
of.
With kind porsonel regards, I remain.
Sincerely yours.
Hon. Josephus Daniels,
Washington, D» C.
\
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
s> «iL
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WASHINGTON
ir‘f !
nr
L
.leadowcroft :
^ I enclose a registered letter sent to Mr,
Xon to this office and opened it before I saw
the word "personal" on the envelope and saw it to
he of a personal nature, practically a number of
betters addressed to Mr. Kdison on the subject of in¬
dentions are received here and acted unon.
My dear
e '
TTatol Consulting Bgais©
OF IMETTNITEB STATES ** . .
, — — - MAN m.
liaml.saunoers^ OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN
mas roi s / . j 11 Broadway. New York
/' $(jp 1 ) Jan. 26, 192° •
v'~- - ^ .
f .
J TVcxvroX-' '
Dear Mr .Edison*— 3i d ^ <*»©<* /|rKc^
X .» — * *
preliminary plans prepared S® the Prosed labo*i £gv
« *■ — *•
— *• - ** - _
of the Naval Consulting Board. • < — j uvvt^\ i^T {UnA^V
w s*«. nx rfyTf#io-n to*awfss" T“*'\
KondM ».nl»S. W»W 5ltt “* '
all the data and information which it is desiredt^eubmit to the
Committee. -
Secretary Daniels has asked that no publication of
information in regard to this laboratory be made at present. When
auoh publication is to be made he will release it from his own
office*
I trust that you oan make it convenient to be present
on this oooasion.
Yours truly,
January 28,1020.
IS r. iV . L. Saund'ars ,
Chairmun, Haval Consulting Sourd,
11 8 roedway ,
Haw York , K.Y.
Dear !.:r. Saunders:
I hevo received your latter of January
26th, In regard to tho meeting at your Office for
consideration of tha preliminary piano for tho oro-
poaad Rnvtl laboratory. I cm not fooling quite
well Just now and cannot coma over.
If it is propound that iinval Officoro
nholl fcava the management of the proposed Laboratory
and not the civilian Secretary of tho Havy, and through
him civilians, I do not wish to have anything to do
with it, directly or indireotly.
Yours very truly.
A/8651.
January 30,1920.
r Admiral V?. S troth or Smith, U.S.if. ,
I-lavy Department,
Washington, D. C.
l!y doar Admiral:
I recoived from you a fo w days
ago a registered letter, which had been addressed
to Hr. Kdison at Washington, ana which happened
to be of a personal nature. Hr. Edison has ashed
me to guy that if any further letters addressed .
to him are roceived in Washington, he will be glad
to have them forwarded to him unopened. As the
War is over, ho thinks it is unlikely that there
will be any further letters relating to inventions,
but that some letters of a personal nature might
be addressed to him at Washington.
'With kindest regards, I remain.
Sincerely yours,
Assistant to Hr. Kdison.
A/S689 .
the secretary of the navy.
19th of February
1 9 2/ -f — 0
b £ Clitt'J-'-H v
Jf f l WU
w> f 1 jf
J dear Mr. Meadowcroft: ito-u*
X am in reoeipt of your letter of Febru¬
ary 17th. Will you please thank Hr. Edison for
having sent me the oopy Bent him by Mr. Saunders
of the Minutes of a Meeting of the laboratory Com¬
mittee of the Haval Consulting Board. 1 am en¬
tirely in agreement with Mr. Edison that this
laboratory, to have the largest results, must
have the co-operation of the civilian engineers
and scientists, and I am ooming up to talk with
him about it some day when I can do so.
Sinoerely yours.
Mr. Wm. H. Headoworoft
Assistant to Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, How Jersey.
IDTC3?iyRTME3SrT
WASHINGTON
V/SS:raw
My dear Hr. Meadowcrof t :
The Public Printer is pressing me for the original
tracings of Mr. Edison's work for mil ic at ion of the Naval
Consulting Board hook and I would hate to have this keep
hack the publication. Of course 1 will see that they are
nroperly taken care of and returned after the Printing Jfnc
completes its preparation for duplication.
Everything else is waiting for this and I will appre¬
ciate it verir much if you will.do _alUou„g.an ...to. e xpedite.
their arrival her e.-^T have ordered a small number of copies
/of the boSfc'specially bound for distribution to special people
with the name embossed on the cover. Sill you please let me
know how many copies Mr. Edison wants, limit die number to a few
and give me the names he desires placed on the cover for his
mailing. 1 have already taken this question up with Hr.
^.Saunders. _ _ - - - - - - - - - .
With kindest regaris, i am
Rear Admiral 71. Strother Smith, 0. S.H.,
Navy Department,
Washington, D. C.
My dear Admiral:
Your letter of March 3d has bo an
received just as I was preparing the tracings, etc.,
for for-varding to you. They aro all going forward,
in two packages. by regi stored mail to you this
afternoon.
Unfortunately, v/e aro unable to find
tracing of the shell, so I shall have to return
the blue print to. you. Tt is.enolosej with the
other material.
We never had tracings of tho ohartB
which show Mr. Raison's plans for strategic move¬
ment of vessels. When he wa3 working on this sub^
jeot down in V/aahington. he had photostats made of
oharts in blank and then plaoed his figuring and
letters on them. I am, therefore, sending you
the original of these in place of the photographs.
The material being forwarded to you is as follows:
One blue print; one tracing containing
curves and calculations, and tracings and oharts
numbered &e follows: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
10. 13, 14, 16, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,
22, 23, 26, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35-3C
37-38, 41, 42 and 46.
Mr. Edison will, , of oourse, be very glad
to have all these returned to him when the Public
Printer is through with them.
I cannot tell you just now how many copies
Mr. Edison will want to have, nor tho names he desires
placed on the oover. Ho is in Florida and it will
take several days to get an answer from. him. In
writing to him today, I will aBk him the question and
communicate with you again as soon as I hoar from him
-2-
Vfith kindest regards, I renain.
Sincarely yours.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
Naval Consulting Board
OF THE UNITED STATES
11 Broadway. New York
The plans for the laboratory are progressing favorably*
Admiral Smith and hia assistant gained, a great deal of information on
their trip about the country, and it is nov; thought that preliminary
plans for inviting bids for the erection of the buildings will be _
ready shortly* The Seorotary of the Navy earnestly desires to push
this matter and tells us that there should be no unnecessary delay
Captain Soott has completed a book on the work of the
Kaval Consulting Board* It has been approved by the Seoretary of
the Navy, and it is expeoted that the book will be ready ror distri¬
bution in Hay next* It is a large volume, containing numerous
illustrations* De Lux copies will be sent to eaoh member of tne
Board and to those who have been closely associated with ue in tne
work, euoh as Major Whitehead, Colonel Merehon,etc* These special
conies will also be sent to the members of the Cabinet, certain
members of the Senate and Congress, Bureau Chiefs, Army officials
and others.
If you have any suggestions to make, giving the names of
persons to whom you think a special copy should be furnishe-, please
let me have them*
The printing is being done at the Government Printing Office
in Washington.
Thomas A. Edison, Esq-
Orange, N.J .
Mu.ro h 19,1920.
Saar Admiral W. Strother Smith, U. S. H. ,
flavy Department,
Washington, D.G.
My daar Admiral!
On iluroti 3d yon wrote to me asking
ma to expedite the forward of the original tracings,
etc. of Mr. iidiscn's wort for publication in the
Haval Consulting Board boot. These were just about
ready and I sent thorn to you the day after receipt
of your letter. I trust that the tv;o rolls contain¬
ing all this matoraal were safely received, but have
not heard fror yon to that affect.
In the second paragraph of your latter you
nstod mo to edvise you how many copies of the book
Mr. lidiBon would want. T sent your letter to him
down in Florida end hove received his answer saying
that three oopieB of the book will answer his purpose.
I suppose that you can place his nare on the cover
of one of then. Ifi in addition, to. those three
copies I could have one for my personal library. I
should be very glad to preserve it on account of my
connection with all this work.
With kindest regards, I remain,
Sinoerely yours.
Assistant to Mr. Kdison.
Inventions
NAVY depajrtacent
WASHINGTON
I'y dear Hr. Headowo:
this letter, that cl
that deals v;ith the
hunter of^t
. 3-Mi son,
wi th
Lltir:
py of
This has been very carefully read and re-read and finall"
pare proofed and illustrations inserted, y/ill von dense -et
Mr. Edison to go over*this and let m know if it" -i s correct''
especially in regard to the illustrations and their titles-
I have had to reduce the number of illustrations to a
minimum otherwise the hook would he so bulky that it would
he difficult to handle. I am not end os inf- in this the
illustrations of his stratep.ic maps as they~go in the anuendix
as folders. "
I am enclosing one <
not attach to the v/rittoj
please say that they are
v two Stray photographs that I can
matter. If they are not important
to he omitted.
Ho turn the enclosed pages to me i
without removing any of the cuts as tl
hut write a dear description of what
made. it will ho impracticable to sd"
would reqire an entire rona-ing of the
has been an immense amount of work dor
to this office.
quickly as possible
t are now attached,
irroctions should he
-.ny nr. tor la 1 as that
/hole hook, and there
sii.ee it was delivered
The photograph on page 77 "Oleum Cloud Shells” I think,
the merino picture, is alright. I do not think the other is
correct hut do not know where it should go. when you return
this please mark it "letter Mail, Urgent Hush".
Mr. Yta. H. M.eadowcroft
Edison laboratories
Orange, Hew •'ersey.
June 1,1920.
Rear Admiral Yf. Strother Smith. U.S. H..
Ilavy Department.
Washington, D. C.
My dear Admiral:
Ur. Meadowcroft has shown mo your loiter of
i^rk.Ti
of Ordnance. Havy Department, already had such a ^ellwhih
... tv»n nnini". I vi ish to say emphatically that tnis sva^e
ment ?s no?®oorrect! and it •!,. nSt in the manuscript that
I furniBhed.
',7hen I proposed and devised the water penetrating
PgfifftSi *! talked S?t2^“2«Si»“«S*”^ShS^on
and^lso exchanged anumber of letters with him. He thought
that my device was the same as the blunt nosed projectile
which the ilavy was then using.
The difference botweon the blunt nosod
SU?i?i SSM S W.V
of fire, and hit a submarine target previously plaood in
predetermined position.
I knew all about the blunt nosea shell l°“f.$^oro
has°been^ vory^thoroughly^hwlshe^out^i^the^oorreapondeno e
between Rear Admiral Earle and myself. I. tbereforo beg
to request that you will have page 178 corrected as I have
indicated.
Tours very truly.
NAVY 3DEPAJRTME3STT
WASHINGTON
June 5, 1920.
My dear Mr . Edison:
Your letter of June 1 has been duly received and
changes are made in the page proofs as desired by ybu.
I am very glad to find that all the illustrations
were properly placed and properly titled. I wish I had
as little trouble with all of the chapters as I had with
yours. 1 hope you thoroughly understand that I am only
doing the proof reading as far as the Navy Department is
concerned and am pot responsible for the original writing-
I will be glad to know the number of books you de-
sire for distribution. The Department will receive 1000
copies and I have already arranged for the distribution
for about 300 of the3e .by direction of the Secretary. A
few of them have a special binding and the names of members
of the Board and other officials will be placed thereon.
As soon as all the corrections are made,
turn you your original tracings and conies.
Trusting that you are in yo-
• usual good health, I c
Naval Consulting Board
OF THE UNITED STATES
June £,192®'
r
ioibc.3 A .Edison, Eso..,
Orange.N.J.
My dear Sir:-
I aw advised from Washington that both our War and Navy
Departments have adopted the policy pursued by foreign nations of
keeping all information that might he of military value to
respective governments from the knowledge of any but bona fide citizens
of the country in which the information originates.
I have officially advised the Navy Department that
the Naval Consulting Board will observe this policy and that its
members will ses to it that students, or others, of the alien countries,
shall not obtain, through members of the Naval Consulting 30ard, any
information relating to naval practice.
Very truly yours.
Chairman.
From :
To:
Subject:
Your File
Thomas A. Edison, Orange, II.J-. (Atten :Mr.Moadowcroft )
Depot Officer, General Supply Depot, Ifew York, W.Y.
Radio Material:
- 7586 Fort flood DD-SC
1. Your letter of June 30th has been received. In this letter
you request us to make application for a Government bill of lading
to cover the return of this material, giving amount, article, number
of packa?e3, cubio foot and weight, such application being made to
Port and Zone Trans. Officer, Rail Trsn. Div. . Pier 3, Hoboken, N.J.
2. Your letter has boon shown to Mr. Edison. He wishes me to
call attention to the fact that this radio material i3 not boxed for
transportation, end, theroforo, the above details could not bo supplied
3. Mr. Edison also wishes to call attention to the fact that there
would be an expense in packing thi3 material, and ho has no account
to which this expense could bo charged. He thinks that after giving
the Government two years of his time in making experiments without
any charge fbr his services, ho should not be called upon to be out
of pocket for cash expenditures in packing and transporting material
used in suoh experiments.
4. Mr. Edison thinks that tho boat way to handle this material is
to send a truck to roeoive it at our door, and a competent person to
superintendent its removal without any expense to Mr. Edison.
5. You will undoubtedly bo able to ght'eany necessary instructions
to do this from either Secretary 3akor or 'Secretary Daniels.
6. It is suggested that this matter ho attended to beforo July
28th, at which date the writer is going away for a vacation.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
ISTA.VY DEUPAR'l’MENT
■ < WASHINGTON
J**ZJZtlr** «Wj|
on— A rr ^ T
Ueadov/croft : trk*''uUr*'" ^ f
I have he on asked ■
meet ion a man called Dr.
any of his experiments .
n April 7, 1916 , after Dr. Scheolo
ttor in connection- v.’ith the manufacture of explosives, he.
s taken to Jones Point, k.ockluna County, in charge o* a
octal a sent of the Government. It is understood ch?.«
render, ""its had he en .made or v.-orc he inn made at the. c -uiiao
t~ the tiv” i)o ti.isnt for the nayment of at least a uart
'the ext once connected with laboratory experiments. .
■ I understand that payments were made hy hr. Bruce
Tver It seems that Dr. Scheele was operated on some cime
September or October 1916 at liyaok, l!ew York.^and the
snital is looking to the Government for Daymen* Ox m- o.-.~
nsos.
If vou can give me any information concerning this
iso, whether Dr. Scheele was being retained by ttoGovcrn-
-nt as far as vour knowledge is concerned at .hat «i.a ,
^ ther his e— onsos wore being paid through your office or
n-fiin- that'vou can tell mo 7 that will serve to either sub-
•nntiate or discre it the hospital’s claim I snr.ll he o.)li,ed.
Please let me have this
Very sincerely your ;
^ /v^i
/6, $tl^ 'U>^ . y/U' ~f(U .-
> ^ ^ ^1 LtJ ^ ^JL(&&
J /YvUMl' .
U»*-, ij<y~iu. » ■'"-~f
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J
July 28,1920.
Hear Admiral W. Strother Smith,
Navy Department,
Washington, D.
U.S.N. ,
C.
My dear Admiral:
I showed your letter of July 26th to
Mr. Edison, who wishes me to give you the following
information:
Dr. Sehoole was a German 3py. He was caught
in Cuba und brought to Key '.Vest Navy Yard by Naval
Secret Service men. V'e believe he confessed end
gave the U. S. Government some secrets in regard to
explosives. Soheale was a fine Chemist.
Bruce Silver v/as one of Mr. Edison’s experimenters
at Hoy West. The Secret Service men requested that
they may have Silver's services, and he was transferred
to them. Then a secret laboratory was obtained by
the Naval Seorot Service and locates in the vicinity
of New York sonav/here. Schoelo was put to work tnoro
and Silver .vaa also employed at the same Laboratory.
That is all that Ur. Edison knows of the matter.
He says that you might ask the Novel Secret
Service or Intelligence .Office, which was in the Annex
when ho was at Washington.
With kind regards, I remain,
Sincerely your3.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
heard a rumor that the Government published
a book or pamphlet about Soheele. POBsibly
The Naval Intelligence Office mug- know about
this.
W.K.M.
NAVY DEPAB.1MENT
WASHINGTON
August 2, 1920.
Bear 'Mr. Edison:
I am sending you an advanced oopy of the hook for
your personal inspection and with ^ n»q^st that no
publication notice he given of it until all *he v
have been supplied and notified. I expect to get a n™irt|er
of copies in about a week and will let the literary editors
of the best papers have copies before issuing the book to
any one else.
I have sent this rough bound oopy to Mr. Saunders
and to Cant a in Scott with the same request, ^e presentation
copies wiil be issued after the copies are sent to the press.
Trusting the book will meet your approval, I am
Thomas A. Edison. EBq. ,
Edison laboratory,
Orange, Hew Jersey
x.. f*—
WSS:mw
navy department
NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD OK THIS UNITBli STATUS
WASHINGTON
Dear Sir:
'll
September 5, 1920.
With the compliments jft the Secretary of the Navy,
also of Mr. Thomas A. Edlson/Presldent and Mr. Wm. L. Saunders,
Chairman of the Naval Consulting Board, there Is sent you, under
separate cover, a copy of "The Naval Consulting Board of the
United States" which gives In narrative form an aooount of the
origin and achievements of this Board oreated in 1915.
Many of the most Interesting Inventions of the war,
with Illustrations, are set forth In this volume Including the
work of Mr. Thomas A. Edison who Is president of the Board.
The development of the listening devices which were so success¬
fully used by our Navy to deteot submarines are described in
detail with Illustrations.
The volume also sets forth the returns from the
mobilization of the Inventive talent of the country as well as
the Industrial Preparedness Campaigns of the Board and the
origin of the Council of National defense.
The Author, Lloyd N. Scott, was given free aooess to
the records of the Board, the Individual assistance of Its
members, and aooess to muoh valuable data in the Navy Department
in the preparation of the book.
Captain Scott was attached to the Inventions Section
of the General Staff, War Department during the World War and
was liaison offloer to the Naval Consulting Board and to associ¬
ated War Committee of Teohnloal Sooletles.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison
Edison Laboratory
Orange, N. J.
Co^stomng Board
OF X1IE UNITED STATES
Bear Sir:
It has been suggested that the Board
meet at dinner in New York on October 7th, the
anniversary of its organization.
Particulars as to time and place will be
sent you later, the purpose of this preliminary
notice being merely to enable you to keep this date
TR:AS
Sept. 29,
1920.
Mr. Thomas Robins, Seo ratary.
Naval Consulting Board,
13 Park Row, Haw York.N.Y .
Dear Mr. Robins :
Mr. Edison received your letter of
Sept. 25th in regard to the Dinner of the
Members of the Naval Consulting Board, and he
wants me to say to you that he will attend
the dinner if it is possible and if the
weather permits.
I am sending you herewith check for
eight dollars, in accordance with your letter.
Yours vory truly.
224
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
CoorsuiaTOG Board
,F Tllli UNITED STATES
C15 OF Till! SECniSTAltY
i Ruin Wow. New Yoke
My dear Mr. Edison:
In acknowledging your Week for
$8.00 covering the price of the dinner on Uober 7th.
I want to let you know that Mr. Saunders has arranged
to have a retiring room for your use adjoining the
room where we shall have our dinner.
On reaching the Cl ub yoii should
ask to he shown to ''"the private room re served W Mr.
Edison.** There will he a sofa, end as no one eUe will
know about this room, you will have a chance t\ rest
while waiting for dinner.
Y
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
West Orange, New Jersey.
October 8, 1920.
Uy dear Ur. Daniels:
1 regret to learn that you have
permitted the Haval crowd to have the Ex¬
perimental laboratory at Washington. You
promised that you would not decide without
giving me a ohanoe to oppose it.
However, as it is done you must
not be angry with me if I go to Members of
Congress and give Borne faots about this
affair and the utter ineffioienoy of the
whole Haval establishment from a technical
standpoint.
fours sinoerely.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
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THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
WASHINGTON.
12 October, 1920.
My dear Mr. Edison:
I am in receipt of your esteemed favor of October
8th and am distressed to know that you feel as you do
about the location of the laboratory. You say I
promised you that I would not locate it without giving
you opportunity to oppose it. I beg to assure you
that before contract is let I will take occasion early
in November to see you, and at that time I would like to
talk to you also about the other subject mentioned in
your letter. I would see you sooner but I am leaving
for a speaking trip and will be unable to do so until
early in November.
Sincerely yours.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, N. J.
October 16, 1920.
Hear Admiral W. Strother Smith,
Havy Department
Washington.D.C.
My dear Admiral:
I must ask to kindly pardon the delay
in r.pljlM » jour ' tko'la.t '
~P.*- *>
pleae accept my apology.
In regard to the letter of Mr. Wolfe
ysfA'K r^r«=ss
recommend it.
to the copy for Mrs. Knierim, I am
sr*- r.ns “5 . .=*, «
It will be entirely agroeable to Mr. Edison
•s g r;.a»in.
the neoessary arrangements.
With kindest regards, I remain.
Sincerely yours.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
1407 Eutaw Place,
Baltimore.Kd.
Oot.26,1920.
^ Iuy dear ur. Edis *^e literary Digest of October 23,
3 1920, describes, as one of your war inventions a device
to intercept torpedoes, consisting of a flotation tube
Si-carrying network to be fired from a trench mortar, or
3 3gun the net to spread after the gun 1b fired and to
< £ sink in the water being supported by the flotation tube,
35 the network consisting of steel rings of about one foot
\ <§in diameter each and about a quarter of an inch in
•^thickness, the object being to so spread these nets
^ '^between the ship and the oncoming torpedo that the let-
<^tor would be caught in one of the nets and deflected
i ^to go around in a circle instead of coming on towards
J-^the ship.
This is an exact description of an invention which
1 sent to you as Chairman of the Havy consulting Board
on i’eb.14, 1917, and which was referred to a suitable
Committee of the Board for consideration..
The experts to which it was referred at first de¬
cided that it would not be of any particular value
and took it for granted that J- did not understand the
nature of a torpedo and the difficulty of opposing it
with nets, and, on my persisting, Hr. Addicks wrote me
that Hr. M.B. Sellers, of 801 north Arlington Ave.Bal-
timore,\vho v/as himsfclf a member of the ilavy Consulting
hoard, would be able to make me understand it better.
Hr. Sellers came to see me and examined my model
carefully • instead of showing me that i was wrong, how¬
ever, he agreed with me perfectly in all of my conten¬
tions, and presented a favorable report to the Board,,
showing that:- , „ ,
1- The device could be fired. from a gun and
dropped into the water at least 150 ft. from the
ship.
2- That it would expand in the air.
3- That if the torpedo beoame entangled in
the net ,its course would probably be altered.
Thereupon 1 received another letter from llr. Add¬
icks saying that Hr. Sellers had authority to go ahead
and do as he saw fit with my invention, further enquiry
by mr. Sellers among the officials in Washington, how¬
ever, convinced him that, while the device might be work¬
able, yet, from a tactical standpoint, it would not be
of value on account of the difficulty of discerning the
wake of the torpedo, which, at that time, was all we
had to go vlpon.
••Thomas A. ad Is on --2.
Since then the invention of a listening device
which would enable those on a ship to hear the approach
of a torpedo 4,000 yds. away completely alters the whole
matter and removes the only objection urged against
this invention, for there would be abundance of time
while the torpedo was travelling a small part of this
distance to shoot so many of these nets in its path that
it would stand a poor chance of getting through.it
should be remembered that if, on the first aiu^in, the
bow of the ship is turned away from the direction
of the sound, the nets would only be required to pro¬
tect the stern and a part of the broadside, and the
gunners, being on the lookout .would be apt to Bee
the wake so that in addition to shooting the nets in
a general direction .some could be shot directly in
the line of the wake, always allowing, of course, for
the torpedo being about 150 ft. ahead of its wake.
i worked hard over this device and l would like
to know that what 1 did might contribute, in any future
war, to lessen the danger from submarines. :ould you mind
therefore letting me know:-
^ / — 1- Did the writer of the article in question
( merely make a inistake and give you credit for an
invention that was entirely mine?
2- Did you, independently of me, work out a de-
. _ce somewhat similar to mine?If so, I would be
,<*>- \ greatly interested to know how you worked it out.
iu ^ ln ny device there were two nets at right angles
/*--'to each other. Only the lower third, approximately,
|V* jjjf the flotation tube went inside the gun and all
r V> sjat the flotation tube wc___ -
jJ-*- tf^the network was outside the gun, the longitudinal
\ g£*et , being held out by springs which, upon release
i-WJ
shot, carried the lower end of the net along
tcyCTie bottom of the tube. The transverse net was
.spread by two arms hinged to the top of the tube
with powerful springs at the junction. ±sef ore firing,
these arms were held down by a ring and the shot
released the arms. from the ring..-.fter firing, the
arms remained down so long as the projectile was
moving rapidly, being kept down by the force of the
tair, but us the projectile began to go slowly the
arms flew up and spread the transverse net. Unless
there are two ntts at right angles to eaoh other
the device is of little value as it might fall into
the water in such a way that its axis would be par¬
allel to the course of the torpedo, but with two
nets at right angles to each other, no matter how
it happens to fall , there will he a large expanse
of net opposed to the torpedo. 1 am curious to know
whether you worked it out in any better way.
3- Did you take my invasion and experiment with
;hat the result was^ja |foint invention, partly
'lly\yours,
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
( copy )
Feb. 14,
1917.
Hr. VS. A. Crawford Proat,
Sheldon PI. ,
Windsor Hills, Baltimore, lid.
Dear Sir:
Your recent favor has been received. We bog
to say thut Hr. Edison is working night and day for the
Government and oan.not possibly spare the time to examine
suggestions or inventions offered in connection with matters
of national Defense. He does not even see his regular mail
for sometimes a week at a time.
He has, therefore, directed that communications
of this kind be returned to the writers, with the suggestion
that they communicate direct with Hr. Thomas Hobins, Secretary
of the Haval Consulting Board, 13 Park How, Hew York City.
We, therefore, return your communication herewith. .
Yours very truly,
Edison Laboratory.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Hon. Josephus DanielB, Hj^POHT UP. 37
The Secretary of tho Havy,
Washington, D.C.
My dear Mr. Daniels:
I have engaged a larger boat for Submarine experiments.
It will be ready about the middle of this week. I will equip it
with some of my latest apparatus, and after some experiments at
the Hook I shall probably cruise off Hew London to catch any
Submarine that might come out and submerge. _ _ _
Tam experimenting on~a devic"e~for~" protecting armed \
'' merchant ships from torpedos. These experiments are showing good
results.
If the aoparatus is for actual work, it consists of a
tube 5/8" steel, 20 feet long, 15 inches in diameter, mounted to
turn and be elevated like a gun. Into this I place a small flo¬
tation tube 25 feet long over which is wound a net of 1 foot
mesh made of l/4" cable of very fine steel wire. The net is coatei
each side with thin canvas. It resembles a large window curtain.
There are other minor details at each end. When tho net strikes
the water it unwinds and extends downward 30 feet. Tho nowder
used will be very slow burning of special character to give a
mean effective pressure possibly of 200 pounds per inch. Part
of the net overhangs the tube.
From experiments hero we think we can deliver this net I
at least 950 feat from the boat. Several of these tubes can bo j
mounted together or used separately. The idea is, that if the I
torpedo is 3eon advancing towards the boat, several nets can be
thrown in its path giving sufficient retardation that it will
stop or be so deluyed os to mi3S. These net roll3 do not tumble,/
but hit tho mark with remarkable accuracy. I am constructing
1/2 size tube. Present testing with 1" tube.^ _
Tours very
November 2, 1920.
Mr. W. A. Crawford Frost,
1407 Eutaw Place,
Baltimore, Md.
X have received your letter of October 26th. which has been
read with much interest.
It is quite true that the time mentioned I ^aGhoirmanof
Navy.
Hnnflmda of sungestions came to my laboratory through the
„ii, ssss.So».
lettirf from my office and your communioationwaare turned to y u
office.
It la me impression that after communications were received
Washington.
If my reoolleotion is oorreot in re gird to my conception
of a plan of obstructing torpedoeB with nets fired by 8“®
went in the firing tube. I used miner's powder of a very 1°w
and slow burning. I did not patent any of the devioeB which I origi¬
nated for the Government.
I think you could get a good patent on your devioo, that
is to say, on the details necessary to make it practicable.
Yours very truly.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
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THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
1
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5th of November
9 2 0
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l i v^vw<- r« &{*4h
•i lay dear Hr. Edison: \yW. VV mt**~ L&ev uj
3 -^“ Referring to your recent communication with <-v ;f
j| i : reference to the Experimental and Research laboratory (jL J
'■' ' J* for whioh CongreSB has made appropriation: Bids have <- $-*"*
jf been received by which v/e oan erect the necessary J ; 5"
y, ^-buildings for the sum of §652,711.00. The bids were c. Cj. j>
T->£ made upon a design approved by the Haval Consulting jT <,
S Board, and all this is along the lines of your early ^ »
25S ^.suggestion. We have the land at Bellevue; it is near4 < 0-
t \ i- the Department; near the two proving grounds and the {? £ •"£
< * t * gun factory; the Bureau of Standards; the Bureau of jz. “> "t
D ? ? v Mines laboratory, and other scientifio institutions. £ . £ ^
rys, b — £ (J V/e own the land and we have no money with which to
j 'v purchase land elsewhere. If we Bhould have to pur- » -j ^ y
SN b • 5 chase the land we would not have the money to build p_ P zS
| <J 3 g the laboratory. She money has been appropriated by •=" < ^
5
o. }
J Congress and unless we spend it at the place where
have the 1
and where it oan be utilized by the De-
De- f I’
■s and? — fr V
. if -t &
vnn f % C
l ^ partment and the oivilian scientists and inventors
n 7 0 . engineers, we will lose the laboratory altogether.
jL- ' 4 5 believe that under these circumstances you vrf.ll feel
■3* * 5 that it is better to build the laboratory, which you „
'r- j f were the originator, at this place rather than not to c -CT
H*" y H Thave it at all or to wait until Congress meets when we*
qj -.J^'may^e denied the money to construct it.
g — 2s> ^ V ' Therefore, I earnestly request your co-opera-
, «2> ition in carrying forward the original idea which you «• £
? y* ^proposed at the first meeting of the Haval Consulting^ £ ^
. £15
1 f r
^$loard. It is my idea that as head of the Haval Con^- ^ „
I 5 suiting Board we should look to you for guidance and Cj. f ->
< < leadership in the work whioh is to be undertaken for r f* £
4 such laboratory. I had hoped to have the opportunity^ ?’
* of seeing youjand talking with you about this matter, P ;
hut I have be^n so pressed that I have not been able
w
• o^ov.prva^nr
*v m-vma^vui z) 'a y-o
>w-» rr°^ h ^
Mr. Thos. A. Edison, Hov.5,1920.
to get out of the city, and I do not feel like asking
you to come to Washington, although if you osn come
and. go over the site I feel sure that, under the cir¬
cumstances, you will readily give us the -benefit of
your valued assistance.
regard,
I am, with sentiments of esteem and high
Sincerely yours.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison
Orange, Mew Jersey
November 8, 1980.
Friend Daniels:
X have received yonr letter of
November 5th. In my opinion, for your own
reputation, you should not permit any money
to be expended on this laboratory as proposed;
but the money should be allowed to revert to
the Treasury.
While the Naval Consulting Board
may have approved something I know nothing
about, I have never approved either the
design, the looation, or the method of
administration. If it is oarried out as
proposed I shall consider it another usMress
expenditure of public money and a continuous
liability and expense without any probable
You are obliged to listen to many
naval officers who want a soft position. I
am going to fight this in CongreSB if neoessary.
Next Summer you will be free and I
want you to come with ub on our oamping trip.
I know you will enjoy it.
As the diplomats say, receive my
most distinguished consideration.
Very sincerely yours.
November 8, 1920.
tty dear Zlobina:
I suggest that you note the artiole on
"Stability of Ships," in the Scientific American
for Hovember 6, 1920, and notice how Taylor trios
to crawl out of the Eagle boat oomedy after he was
warned repeatedly by civilian constructors that
the boats ware bound to be unstable, and tpat the
noise of internal combustion motors would make
them so that they could not be used.
This latter protest was from the Hew
London scientists, yet he rebuffed them with
brutal indifference and said ho understood his
business.
Think of us taxpayers with a man like
this building present Navy, using $800,000.00,
and never want to sea.
We might got him to run the now Research
Laboratory approved by the Haval Consulting Board.
Sincerely yours.
[ATTACHMENTIENCLOSURE]
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THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
1 Ucch^ UM "
November 19, 1920.
My dear Mr. Edison:
I ain in receint of your esteemed favor. I
have awarded the contract for the laboratory and
an in entire harmony with your view that there
must be in order to fulfill the purpose for which
the appronriation was made perfect cooperation be¬
tween civilians and naval officers, and as to the
plan of doing it, in my annual report I am raying
therei&uet he civilian direction and I hope this
civil direction will he undertaken under such plans
and policies as you will outline. We will take
this matter up fully, and I assure you that I be¬
lieve as much ae yru do that while the bureaus of
the Uavy must be looked to for large and responsible
duties in equipment in the lines of carrying on
and finding new and better waye , that we must depend
verv largely upon civilian inventors and engineers.
I do not think we will have the least trouble about
arranging this, and I would like you to work out
a plan for euch organization and management.
With sentimente of esteem and high regard,
Sincerely yours.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison
Orange, N. J.
Kovember 23, 1920,
Hy dear Mr. Daniels :
Mr. Edison usually replies $o promptly
to your letters that I presume you are wondering
why you have not heard from him in answer to your
important letter of Hovember 19th.
He had been struggling with a severe
oold for two or three days, end on the evening
of the day you wrote he went homo a little earlier
than usual and he has not been down Binoe. His
aough grow more troublesome. The doctor ana Mrs.
Edison prevailed on him to stay in the house and
to give up attention to business mutters for a
few days.
I have just returned from seeing him
at hi3 house. He is very much hotter and quite
cheerful, but the doctor has persuaded him to
remain in ths house until after Thanksgiving
and to let business matters rest until then. I
thought I would let you know about this, so as
to aooount for the fow days delay in his reply
to your letter.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Ur. Edison.
PVL Wf
IlAYajL Consulting Board
<UJLuik Kucha
NAxvwS^'t (uxi' )-*-***■
i the Llemberp of th^liaval Cons^lt^i^ig Boaraj^*'
haval Consulting Board, and at the request o:
Soott I am sending out this oiroular letter
Captain Scott of any changes c
the book will go to pres;
sedition is called for to
ie, it is my belief that the
upon the. above suggestion should communioate
v £k><0 5
\ & * ,
*»* . -j. *^1
,.o'i
4tt^ery truly yours, ^
• ^ y
.,^lb/c^AHY‘ \_^y
December 11, 1920.
Capt. Lloyd H. Scott,
63 Wall Street,
New York, fi.Y.
Dear Sir:
Hr. Edison received a letter from Hr.
Thomas Hobins stating that the Navy Department
has decided to issue a second action °* Jhe
history of the Ravul Consulting Board, and
asking^ members to notify you of any changes or
oorreotions to be made in the book.
Hr. Edison and I looked over the
nort relating to his work once more and desire
to inform you that no ohanges or correct! n
arc suggested.
Undoubtedly you have already noticed
one little typographical error in the word
"anohors" on the third line fr« the bottom.
Page 164. The "E" may bo deleted.
Yours very truly.
1062
Assistant to Hr. Edison
December 13, 1920.
Hon. Josephus Daniela,
Havy Department,
Washington, D.C.
My dear Daniels:
After considering the subject
•f-rom every point of view I have come to
the conclusion that I would prefer n°]L
to be connected in any way with the new
Experimental Laboratoiy. I am convinced
that it will ultimately be controlled
by Haval Officers; that its position at
Washington will always be a handicap,
+v,S-fc it will be an expense to the
Government without producing any practical
resultn.
Sinoerely yours , ■
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
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DEL.
December 14, 1920.
My dear Mr. Edison; -
The Target practice Office has asked
me to ascertain if you have finished with the following
confidential publications which were loaned to you on
October 27, 1919;
Register Ho. ' ,
91 - Heport of Battle Practice, Spring, 191-1.
89 - Heport of Elem. and Div.Practices ,1914-15.
357 - Report of Battle Practice, Spring, 191 5.
298 - Report of Elementary practice, 1915-16 .
64 - Report of Battle practice, spring, 1916.
32 - Report of Short Range Battle practice, 1916-17.
91 - Report of Battle Practice, Spring, 1917.
They explained that these volumes were taken from a
set which remains incomplete so long as they are out and
that they would appreciate their return when you are quite
finished with them.
With kindest regards.
Yours sincerely.
Thomas A. Edison, Esq. ,
Orange, N. J.
December 17, 1920.
Friend Dunlela:
I mia pleased to note tha hot ahot
you fired at the General Staff idea on pages
200 to 210 of your Annual Report, just recei¬
ved.
Possibly it is too late now, but if
you oould get Congress to paas a bill permit¬
ting tha Secretary of the Havy to employ
oivilian technical enginoers and expertB as
adviaera on technical questions it would
improve tho Havy one hundred peroont in the
course of time.
With oordial regards, 1 remain.
Very slnoerely youra,
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Deoember 17, 1920.
Hy dear Ur. Butler:
Ur. Edison received your letter of
Baa amber 14th concerning the confidential
publications loaned to him, by the Target
Practice Offioe.
He has requested me to ask if you
will kindly see Secretary Daniels
and tell him that Ur. Edison whmisthe publi¬
cations menU on ed in your letter and that the
Target Practice Office wants to have them
jgJKffySi personally*1 oannot ^fr.^dison
Sr yjsvxrsx s rsru
Ur. Edison aBkB you to please tell
Ur. Daniels that the fact of Mr. Edison s
havin* a set of these reports may be of value
to him (Ur. Daniels) after he leaves the Navy,
in case some controversy ariseB.
With kindest regard, I remain,
four 8 sincerely
1090
Assistant to Ur. Edison.
\
December 28, 1920.
My dear Mr. Edison:
I thank yott einoerely for your letter
of December 17th, and your suggestion is an
admirable one , and if X were to be in office
longer I should address myself to it with
great earnestness. I hope my successor
will do so.
Sincerely yours
Mr. Thomas A. Edison
Orange, H. ’J.
December 28, 1920.
Personal
Hon. Warren 0. Harding,
United States Senate,
Washington, D.C.
Ity dear Sir:
During the War I was intimately associated
with our Navy as President of the Naval Consulting
Board of the United States. I operated several
experimental ships at sea, and have familiarized
myself with Naval technique and personnel. What I
learned is very disquieting when I think of the
future.
As you will soon appoint a Secretary of
the Navy, 1 hope you oan find a man about fifty years
of age who is purely a oivilian and who has the
technical knowledge of an Engineer or who will be
authorized to retain outside Engineers for consultation.
This for reasons you oan easily imagine.
Yours very truly.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
c ember 28, 1920.
My dear yrr. Hdison:-
I showed Ur. Daniels your letter of
December 22nd, requesting copies of the reports on Battle
Practice, etc., subsequent to those of the Spring of 1917.
On this letter I had prepared an endorsement, which
he siP-ned, directine the Office of Gunnery Exorcises and
TTnp-lneerin^ performances to send you a complete set for
your personal and confidential use. This letter I then
took in person and arranged for the hooks to he sent you
hy registered mail.
The Secretary asked me to convey to you his very best
regards, and permit me to join in wishing you a very Happy
New Year.
Yours sincerely.
Naval Consulting Board and Related Wartime Research Papers
Correspondence (1921)
This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to
Edison's diminishing involvement with the Naval Consulting Board (NCB). The
correspondents include outgoing Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels; J.
Jarvis Butler of the Navy Dept. General Board; NCB chairman William L.
Saunders and secretary Thomas Robins; and Edison associate Miller Reese
Hutchison. Included are letters pertaining to Edison's desire to resign from the
NCB pending its adoption of a plan for a Naval Research Laboratory that he
opposed; the final months of Daniels's term as Secretary of the Navy in the
Wilson administration; Edison's refusal to attend the NCB annual dinner; and
his interest in acquiring government publications on banking and currency,
which were sent to him by Butler. Many of the letters were written by Edison's
personal assistant, William H. Meadowcroft.
Approximately 50 percent of the documents have been selected. The
material not selected includes additional dinner invitations that Edison
declined, along with personal correspondence between Meadowcroft and
Butler, who appear to have been close family friends.
p
i^ai AJC-'
January fi, 1921.
Mr. J. Jarvis 3utlo:
104 Bradley Hoad,
Chorrydnlu ?.0. ,Va.
"Once more unto the breach dear friends"
(If you don't remember who wrote this ask me and I
will toll you.')
deferring to the above I am ocming with
another request from Hr. Kdlson, and that is that
you would kindly got f°r Mai tho r?{n£ 1916 *1917
Comptroller of Curronoy for 1914, 191b. 1916, 191',
and 19 IB.
I trust you are all well that you all en¬
joyed your Christmas foatiyitioa. I suppose Grandma
hr.d a good time with the kiddies.
With kindest regards to you and the whole
family . I remain.
P.S.
By the way, let mo
oalonder pad whioh
thank you for that daily
arrived safely.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
'(jgi-pch. fe
aA-. ^
Them* Consulting Bom®'
OF THE UNITED STATUS
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
13 Park Row, New York
Jan. 24, 1921.
Mr. Thoma s A. Bdison,
President,
Ilavsl Consulting Board,
Orange, Kew Jersey
Bear Sir:
At the request of the Secretary of
the llavy, a special and important meeting of the ITaval
Consulting Board, will he held in Washington, at ten
o'clock in the morning, on Tuesday, February 1st.
The purpose of this meeting is t o go
over the plans of the Research Laboratory, to visit the
site, and to discuss and endeavor to determine, a line
of policy for the operation of the Laboratory. Other
subjects v.‘ ill also be brought up.
The Secretary of the navy will be
present and wishes to express to the Members of the board
his lasting appreciation, and his sincere booethatlhey
will continue after he goes out of oxfice, to work ab°'-
the line of study and experiment and un esti^tion, as in
the past.
Please renly by wire to the Secretary' i
office, 13 Bark Row, stating whether you will be able to
attend the meeting.
Yours very truly,
CKAIHMAil. 'f'M/Jrf'.
January 25, 1921.
Mr. . Thomas Robins,
13 Park How,
Hew York.H.Y.
My dear Robins:
Referring to the telephone conversation you
have had with Mr. Headoworoft to-day, my attitude
towards the proposed Haval Experimental laboratory is
shown by the enolosed copy of a letter whioh I wrote
to Secretary Daniels on December 13, 1920.
I shall not attend the meeting on February
1st.
Yours very truly.
January 25, 1921.
Hon. Josephus Daniels,
Secretary of the Navy,
Waahington.D.C.
Dear Hr. Daniela:
I feel that the time has arrived for me
to sever my oonneotion with the Naval Consulting
Board of the United States, and. therefore, tender
my resignation, to take effect at once.
Yours very truly.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
26th of January
19 2 1
My dear Mr. Edison;
I am in receipt of your favor and it dis-
1 “ mach “d I earnestly hope that you
3 Up?n it" baling shout the IJav-
thnt S?-?®-20314 °?d I,aboratory has always been
that when it is opened and ready for work, the nor-
son who is the head of it shall he a civilian. "Men
capable of research work are very rare and we ought
to find such a man who can not only stay a year or
two, as a naval officer could, but can stay for a
long time and organize it upon a basis where the
best research minds of America in civilian life
wouid give their thought and their service under
the direction of the civilian head. And in the
same way the chiefs of the technical bureaus the
engineers and construction officers, and the’scien-
+vf th® Navy fh0ttld aiso work together with
the civilians; but that it is better to have a civil¬
ian head. That has always been my idea and and I
believe I have obtained it from you.
Always, with my warm regards.
Sincerely your friend.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison
Orange, New Jersey
£'S'~~JyJX£e m? greetings and good wishes
ana sincere friendship to you and Mrs. Edison.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
I.'y dear I-r. Edison:
As I am leaving Washington after
eight yoarB of servioo as Secretary of
the Ilavy, I oan not go home without
sending you a line of appreciation for
your helpfulness and friendship.
With my good wishes, I am
Sinoeraly yours.
I.'r. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, IT. J.
Marsh 7, 1921.
Friend Daniels:
Although you have not yet
had time enough to recover your ner¬
ves after your eight' years of arduous
labor as Secretary of the Havy.I shall
miss ny guess if you are not glad to
turn your baok on the maelstrom of
oonf listing interests and cross
purposes, let mo congratulate you on
the fact that you have preserved your
health through it all, and that you
Our assooiation in the last
few years loaves a pleasant remembrance
with tne, and I shall hope some day to
moot you again in private life.
Thanks for your note of the
second of March. It was good of you to
remember me.
With kindest regards to you
and your wife, I remain.
Sincerely yours ,
Hon. Hosophus Daniels,
Haleigh ,H.C»
Hatol CasrsraaiWG Board
11 Broadway,
Hew York, H.Y., / Tv ,
August 9th, 1921/ i'X /
My dear Sir:
Mr. Daniels, former Secretary of the Navy, la.,
writing a hook on "Our Navy in the World War". He wants to \
make up a chapter on the Naval Consulting Board. He wants this\
to he "one of the heat chapters".
He says: "What I need is a clear and suooinot
statement of what was done in the war as to submarine detection,
the aerial torpedo and other experiments and inventions .Will
you not see such members of the Board as you deem necessary and
have this Buocinct and correct summary written?
It is my purpose to aid Mr. Daniels as much as
possible in this and to outline a statement of the work of the
Board. Will you not aid in this by dictating a letter to me
stating in general terma/vSjhat you believe to have been the
usefulness of the Boardin' connection with the war?
Mr. Dan/els hopes to be able to get this by the
s much appreciated, and
truly yours.
&
August 15, 1921.
llr. William 1. Saunders,
naval Consulting Boerd
of the United States,
11 Broadway,
Hew York City.
Dear Mr. Saunders:
I have reoeived the circular letter you sent
around to the members of the Board.
I cannot very well write such a' letter as you
ask. I worked alone, and an aooount of nearly all the work I did
was published by the Government in the book on the work of the
Naval Consulting Board. You are quite familiar with this book.
Uy deafness prevented me from presiding at the
Meetings of the Board, and therofore you, as Chairman, took my
Yours very truly.
EDIPHONKH/1?
ISatml Coxsijmting Boak®
OF TUI! UNITED STATES
i:j Park How, New York
Mr. Thomas A. Edison
Orange , New J ersey .
x. NkwYork
Aug. 17, 1921
YjUUP*-
Bear Sir:
I am returning herewith some photogra;
which yon loaned to Captain Soott some time ago in
connection with his preparation of the History of the
Board. . ,
Yours very truly,
. CCii cjt/7}^ JivU^-doi ■Q/i'i/-
Secretary to Mr. Hohins.
l<?al
lAVAI COBTSTMING BttAM©
Off Tins TS1TEB SttTES
SCllKTARY
wYonic
Oct. IX, 1921
Hr. 'Thomas A.
West Orange,
Dear Sir:
Of
Your attention is'iealled to the following
resolution passed at the meeting of the Naval Consulting Board
held Nov. 16, 1918:
nnmnT¥FT) that no matter what happens, until all
of „ ”»« .»c. a
either of the Declaration of Peace or Ox the sienin„ oi
the Armistice."
As certain other functions will lie held on the
evening of Armistice day, it has been decided to hold our meet¬
ing on Thursday, November 10th. The dinner will he held at the
University Club, 5th Ave. & 54th Street, at 7.50 B.M. The
charge will be §6.00 per plate.
I sincerely hope that you will attend the dinner
and I would ask you to kindly fill out and return the enclosed
postcard.
Sincerely_yours ,
ft"
secretary
TR:AS
X
Ootober 16, 1921.
Ur. Thomus Robins, Secretary ,
Haval Consulting Board,
13 Park Place, Hew York Cityl
Uy dear Ur. Robins:
Ur. Edison wishes me to acknowledge
receipt of your note of Ootober 11th concerning
the Annual Dinner of the members of the Haval
Consulting Board.
He says it is impossible for him to
make engagements so long ahead. Beside, the
severe business depression has laid an additional
load on his shoulders. He is busy day and night
and he is trying to avoid making any engagements
that will dviert his attention from his work.
Therefore ho fools ho will have to
forgo the pleasure of participating in the Dinner.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Ur. Edison.
Hatol CoismTWG Bom®'
or THE EXITED STATES
To the liombers of the Kovel Concuitlne Boara:
It has boen decided to havo our annual dinner
at the Army & liavy Club lnetoa.d of at tho University Club ns
previously announced* You are therefore rebooted to £0to
that the dinner will be hold at 7.30 V.IU on tho eyoning of
ilovembor 10th, ct the Army & havy Club, 122 Control vnrk Couth.
Up to this flate tho returns aro ob follows
V/ILL ATTEUD EHilTSB
I, Tocr.ro.
Aaaiclcs
Arnold
Coffin
Emmet
Hatohlson
nosin
Ulllor
Biker
Boblnc
Saunders
Sperry
Sprague
Thayer
Uhitney
Koesre.
Brunton
Efllcor.
Hunt
ftobstor
ttocsrs.
Baokolona
Craven
Lammo
Sellers
vrooawora
ll
Owing to the difficulty which I hea last year in
obtaining tickets for tho Army & Uavy football somo, and the
faot that only four of our members wont to the game, I am not
attempting to eoouro tlckotB for IMsjts&v s game.
Your a
'Navml Consulting Board
OF T1IE UNITED STATES
Dsar Mr. Edison:
l%La | €,4M^
Hovember 3, 1921,
Won't you plea bo change you* mind uhd attend
the Annual Dinner of the Naval Consul4&ng Board c
evening of Hovember 10th?
At our last meeting .after the signing of the gL/fgn'
Armistioe, I introduced the resolution that we Bhould
get togetherjonce each year until, through the elimina¬
tion of Father Time, we all "cross the river," I know ■*
how much you dislike to come to Hew York, and how little
you get out of a social function of any kind; but this
Board was built around you and without you preBentfthe
affair will be a failure.
It happens only once a year, and it would be
over by ten o'clock.
An additional reason; One hundred of us chipped
in $1,000 each and established an Army and Havy Club in
Hew fork, at which our Army and Havy officers can have
headquarters when in the city. As you know, their
salaries are very inadequate, and hence their inability
to belong to clubs requiring considerable annual dues.
We are looking for life members to the club at $1,000 each.
These members are, of course, selected with a great deal
of care. The advertising the club will receive through
this dinner of the Board will put it on its feet financially.
I know how you feel about some Army and Havy
officers, but they are not all that way, and, after all,
we owe them quite a debt of gratitude for the services Borne
of them performed overseas.
Please come .
Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,
Orange, Hew Jersey.
i.lKH/MB
Ilovember 7, 1931.
Uy dear Ur. Hutchison:
Your letter of November33rd was received
and I put it in Mr. Kdison's Mail Bag. He has read
it and wants me to say to you that he cannot poss¬
ibly attend tSe Annual Dinner of the Haval Consul¬
ting Board. He has a positive engagement *or
Bame day that was made over a month ago, and this
will prevent him from participating in the Haval
Consulting Board dinner.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
\MiXX
\f\AA**
r Ur. meadow croft : -
iio you think there might he a job for
at Muscle Shoals in ease fir. ?ord takes over the works t
I have been thinking of the -possibility ever since ncgo-
, , T1-,- ii-p ;; - r ,cirt neiit heve been
9. *Lione between ur. tfora ™ e w. r
ven publicity. Today's papers carry a story about «. k's
rit to iir. B6 i eon and their plans to So over the ground
gather next week, suggesting to me that the program has
ogressed farther than has been announced. Hence my ^ucstio;
Please don’t feel under any obligation, however, to do
more than give me your own advice. I am running down every
opportunity that shows any promise whatever, in the earnest
effort to get out of the Government service where X have long
since reached the end of my rope end will soon begin to stagnate.
I am writing this rather hurriedly as I have am opportunity
to send it in town to be mailed
Your i
sincerely,
<f. I , (l^As
Another spur to my "getting but" is caused by repetition of
the praotioe* of adding to my duties and responsibilities to sus¬
tain some high paid higher ranking official in his position, while
X get neither compensation tor credit: X am ae feoto secretary
of two of the most important Conference committees -- and have
actually heard flattering praise handed out to the de Jure
Secretaries for my work and initiative which they swallow, bait
hook and sinker>v And these are not isolated oases.
Hov ember 23, 1921.
Ur. J. .larvia Butler,
104 Bradley Hoad,
Cherrydale V.O. , Vn.
My dear Mr. Sutler:
X received your personal note written
by yon last Sunday evening, and uon' t blame you
one bit for haring the desire to mni:e a change
and it in disgraceful the way you ura treated,
and apparently is a- waste of time. It seems to
me that yon would far better bo giving your
ability where it would be appraoiated both
morally and financially.
X showed your latter to Mr. idison, and
ha says ho will always bear yon in mind. He will
shortly be going with friend Henry lord to .Jussel
Shoals, and' X an sure if an opportunity offers ho
will not forget you.
Sinoerely yours.
December 19, 1921.
Hr. i. J. Butler,
Gonoral Board,
Havy Department,
V.ashington, b. 0.
Hr. Edison wishes
r _ yl _ _ Je you if you will
kimlly get him the Government xml ii out ions by the
Director of tho Hint for the last eight or ton years.
He ooee not know whether they are published yearly
I have sent down to your homo ad dross a small
package which boars the label "Hot to be opened until
Christmas." This contains something for each of the
... _ _ .. r nns will be iileased.
There is also a paokago of EE-CHEAT IOHS
that has gone down to your home address. Thie will
give you some new music for Christmas.
With kindest regards to you all, 1 remain.
Sincerely yours.
Uy birthday -.:as a "rod lottor" day for J-i as it vac
tho first day ho really '.ml 'ted . Quito suddorily ho commenced
and navigates tho entire :.ouse not.' ad lib. lio is very
comical and loolts :r.oro like a mechanical doll than a little
Harriot, havin'" colobratod last Christmas tvith scarlet
fovor, has just dovolonod chick onpotc to keop hor in this year
Iionovor, this is not a serious affair as you knot.-, and '.fill
only deprive hor of some of tho exchange of visits T'ith tho
neighborhood children. But even this has its advantages.
'.Tith very kindest roi-ards.
Ljoi
{(&
J\V
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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
December 24 ,
Ur. J. Jervis Butler,
114 Brai! lay '.lor.fi ,
Oho rryfl r. lo ? . 0 . , Va .
J.’.y deer Ur.
Butler:
I enioyod your letter of Decombor
21st very much* and thanks you for your usual
kind end prompt attention to Iir. r-Jison' s ra-
nueat for r.ublionticus of the Director oi the
Hint. I shall look for their arrival in the
early part of nert week.
1 50! !?r
the ra-c lotions
your expectations
you are enjoying
:.»fctly pleased to loij-rn that
v;0ra found so fully tip to
and I ai:: f lad tc learn that
them so niuah.
Harriet ought to be more oonoiderate
around Christmas time, oho seems to pick up
anythin;? that in I0030. You don't suppose that
this is” inherent perversity, do you? ball,
after all ohioken pox is not so very serious,
no long an nhe is kept comfortably warn, i.’.ay
shet got over it soon.
Ur. Edison was very much interested
in your postscript and the pencil sketch. So
was 1.
With very kindest regards and all
the best wiuhos 1 can send you for Christmas
and Hew Years, I remain.
Sincerely yours.
Naval Consulting Board and Related Wartime Research Papers
Correspondence (1922)
This folder consists primarily of letters exchanged between William H.
Meadowcroft, Edison's personal assistant, and J. Jarvis Butler of the Navy
Dept. General Board, whom Edison used as a source for government-
published data. Included are items pertaining to phonograph record
production figures, Edison’s plan for a reform in the U.S. currency system,
and his idea for an emergency hydrogen-filled parachute for aviators, which
he and Meadowcroft traveled to Washington to discuss with officers of the
U.S. Air Service. There is also correspondence with Edgar G. Oberlin of the
Naval Research Laboratory regarding Edison's refusal to lend political support
to the laboratory, then under construction in Washington, D.C.
Approximately 40 percent of the documents have been selected. The
unselected material consists primarily of personal correspondence between
Butler and Meadowcroft, who appear to have been close family friends.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
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3 ^cuLusJ^ * . H*~
Sebruary 10, 1922.
My doar Ur. Butler:
Many thanks for your letter of the 8th
and for your explanation of the myatariousness art
weirdnesa of the atatiatioa on phonographs. X
think Ur. Edison will an joy a hearty laugh, and
vjill arrive at the sune oonolusion that you have
that the figuros are closely related to "topsy .
Both he and I appreciate the fact that
you have done your damdost, ^and as they sap out
west, "angola can do no noro' .
With kindest regards and all food
wishes, I remain.
Hr. J. Jarvis Butler,
General Board, Havy Department,
Washington, D.C.
April 24, 1922.
My dear Mr. Butler:
I received your letter Saturday but I
shall not atop to answer it now.
Mr. Edison is in a hurry to have me
ask you whether you will kindly obtain for him
a copy of the Federal Reserve Banking Act and
all the amendments to date. Ee thinks you can
get this from the Comptroller of the Currency.
With kind regards, X remain.
Sincerely yours,
1922
My dear Mr. Butler:
Mr. Edison would like you to go over to that
aeotion of the Jar Uonertment which Is devoted to aero¬
planes, and find the head man who persisted, in spite
of sarcasm of naval people, in trying to sink warships.
Mr. Edison would like you to ask him if there is any
value in the following idea of making the lives of avi¬
ators a little more safe;
Have a silk balloon all collapsed, the throat
being oonoeotod to a small steal bottlo of hydrogen, un¬
der pressure of threo or four thousand pounds, the bottle
to contain just enough hydrogen to inflate the balloon
about 98,5. This would prevent any excess pressure from
harming the balloon, and exact quantity of the hydrogen
in the balloon being experimentally determined. The in¬
flation of the balloon could be completed in three sec¬
onds or leas. The balloon could possibly be shapod so
that it would act as parachute at the same time.
Mr. Edison has hot figured out if it is prac¬
ticable as to the omount of hydrogen. A parachute to be
effective must be operated high up, but on account of
the rapidity of inflation, which, after all, is the main
point, this soheme would possibly work nearer the ground
when the aviator knows the game is up and he might lose
his engine.
3inoareiy yours,
Mr. J. Jarvis Butler,
Navy Department,
General Board,
Washington, D.C.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
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May 12, 1922.
My dear Ur. Butler:
X want to thank you for your kind
letter of May 11th in regard to Capt. Seaton.
I showed it to Mr. Edison at onoe. He was very
much pleased to learn that his suggestion had
received suoh careful oonside ration, even though
it might not be regarded as practicable.
I shall be very glad to receive Capt.
Seaton's memorandum in time. to diBouss it with
Mr. Edison before I oone down next Friday. Ur.
Edison has given me a message for Capt. Seaton
which I shall deliver to him in person if we
should meet at lunoh in aooordanoe with your
agreeable suggestion. In the meantime the
forthcoming memorandum will perhaps present a
little more matter for disoussion.
Here is another matter. Mr. Edison
1b doing a lot of work with the idea in mind
for helping the ootton farmer and he would
like to have you find out from the War and
Navy Departments what buildings, barracks, etc.
they have in the East and Southern parts of the
tJ.S. that oould be used for storing tho next
crop of ootton. If the information is available
he would like to have a description of the kind
of the buildings, floor space and other particu¬
lars, suoh as condition, railway and water trans¬
portation, etc.
Onoe more throwing ourselves on your
meroy and with kindest regards, I remain,
Sinoerely yours.
My dear Mr. Butler;
X have received your letter of May lath, and showed
it to Mr. Edison. So my greet surprise he said he thought he
would go down to Washing ton either this week or next about
other matters, and while there would he glad to meet and talk
with Captain Seaton, General Patriok and any other officers
they might wish to bring with them.
Captain Seaton's memorandum has not come in at this
writing, but I presume it will reaoh here tomorrow morning and
I wi 11 see that Mr. Edison sees it at once. I would not he
surprised if Ur. Edison and I oara down by the Congressional
Limited on Thursday of this week. If we do I will telegraph
you. I think he would stay only one day, Friday. So I "would
go to the Powhatan with him to stay Thursday night.
If Captain Seaton and General Patriok and any
others desire to lunoh with yon ur.d 1 on Saturday I am quite
agroeable, but please do not lot them get an impression that
I am an expert or even a technical man, or I shall' sink in
deep water at once.
In viev/ of the changed complexion of things would
it not bo well to hold Saturday's luncheon in abeyanoe? I
shall telegraph you "whichever way the oat jumps."
Sinoorely yours,
June 2, 1922
Mr. J. Jarvis Butler,
General Board,
Havy Department,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Butler:
Mr. Meadoworoft was thinking this
morning that you might he under the impres¬
sion that he had forgotten you, but the fact
of the matter is that ever ainoe he and Mr.
Edison returned from your oamping grounds in
Washington it has been one thing after an¬
other, and never reaching the bottom of things.
The thought of you flashed through
his mind this morning at 9:25 just as he and
Mr. Edison were departing for a day in Hew
York, with bankers, eto. and he hurriedly
(last word like) asked me to drop you a line -
fishing line - and say that he will write you
fully either tomorrow or Monday.
If you would only use your lnfluenoe
and got President Harding and Seoretary Mellon,
and a few others in Washington, to adopt Mr.
Edison's plan in full, say, next week, we would
be able to do a number of misoellaneous things
that pile up when an of floe is in a rush state.
With kind regards,
Yours very truly.
iy dear lir. Butler;
oi-ron.fi u know how strenuous things
entirely collapsed.
Of course I an not going to attempt any detailed
However, I am sure y°u wtn g yr. sdiaon's,
are shaping up very P™®1**®* onlte promising #t
Plan, and there seems to ho somethin., quiw * *?•
far ahead.
Mr. Edison la highly aPP^“i^i^t°Laforget a“
for us in Washington, and he has told me^ nover gant
hout that tire. This reminds ® 5+ dinoher or
straight1 si de s .y °Ple as e9 le t“have this information and I
will attend to the rest.
we oertainly had a splendid time with you and
M sFasta 52MW^sar*J».
eat.
With kindest regards to you and also to Mrs.
Butler and the children, I remain.
Mr. J. Jarvis Butler,
General Board, , , . „ „
Havy Department, Washington, D.G.
Dear Mr. Headowcroft:
V ^ Juno 1922W
4-
Your letter g of Monday and TuoGday cone yesterday and
today "respectfully". Had I not received Mr. Ryan s note a
few days Hof ore, X should certainly have communicated with
the police to find out whore you wore at. Absque hoc, X
understood perfectly that you were extremely busy and that
when opportunity offered you would drop me a lino, and you
liavo lived up nobly to my confidence.
I am dolighted to hoar that the ''Edison plan is shaping
up in a promising manner. It is certainly a stupendous thing,
both in itself and in the bonefit it will bo to the people.
It seoms a shome that, like all unselfish offerings, it must
bo litorally forced upon tho beneficiaries.
I am very happy that Mu Edison does not think unkindly
of my efforts to contribute to his comfort and convenience
while hero. The close association with him those fow days T
undoubtedly the rod-letter event of my lifo.
The Chemioal Warfare Service of tho Army is tho principal
governmental agency experimenting on war gases. while the
Havy (Bureau of Ordnance),and possibly othor seotions, do more
or less work on a small scalo, the Chomical Warfare Sorvico
is the only specialty organization and thoy naturally go in
for it on an oxtonsive scalo. Brigadior General A.A. Frios
is Chief of tho Chomical Warfare Sorvico and is himself very
active in all branches of his service, whioh include :
Industrial Relations Section,
Charged with the collection and dissemination
of military information for use of Chemioal
Vfarfare Servico; maintenance of relations with
chomical industries, educational institutions,
Government bureaus. Military Intelligence De¬
partment, and maintenance of records on loca¬
tion of technical personnel and manufacturing
facilities.
Supply Section,
Purchase and lease of real estate, the purohase
of supplies and equipment, arrangement for ship¬
ment of supplies, the disbursement of funds, the
Dear Kr. Ueadowcroft:-
Iiavinr, received two letters from you, 1 fool
..... entitled to two in return. Ilenoe this "Sequel, or Things
which ain’t finished in tho first". (I believe this was the title
of tho small boy's book.)
Answering your question as to my tire size. It is S3 x i J
straight sides.
I onolose the pictures taken when you were horo and hope
they will recall pleasant experiences. You will remember the
vorv unfavorable conditions under which I took tho one in tho
rods with i-r. Edison in the group. Having little hope for
its outcome I had a friend of mine who is something more than
an expert amateur do the developing, with instructions to do
all possible for that one exposure, at tho expense of the
others if necessary. He did romarkably well, as this print
shows. Ho told me, further, that the negative could bo in¬
tensified and very much improved. Ho hasn t tho nocessary ap¬
paratus - cr whatever is needed - just at present, so I will
have that dono later, and of course send y™’ oonios.
Tho others need no explanations I am suro, except J-4
hasn't "busted" yet - ho looks so much like ho was roady to
mpm pop. Ho certainly is posing in one. haybe you will
remember his burst, into laughter as soon as tho camera
clibked.
Tho picture of the 1500 ft. rambler turnod out romarkably
well. You will roaonbor X didn't ovon slow down for it -
poking the camera out through tho windshield as wo passed.
I expect to go down to Richmond Friday morning - returning
Sunday afternoon - for tho Sigma Hu Fhi annual convention.
A number of us aro going to drive down more or less together.
Did you notice tho accounts of the recent Balloon race and
recognize tho picture of the winner, Hajor ''.'estover? «o was
tho " light cr-than-air" mom who called on you and Hr. Edison in
my offico along with Gonoral Patriot: and Captain Seaton*
Hope you wore uninterrupted long enough to make a dent in
the top of your desk, the other day. I know what it is, and hew
hopelocs it appears at times* But oh*, that grand and glorious
fooling" when daylight begins to trickle in again.
Tilth kindost regards.
department of the navy.
GENERAL BOARD.
Upon my roturn yosterday I found Hr. Edison's tolegram
of the 9th and a copy of Hr. Smith's reply thereto in my ab-
sonco, which I trust was satisfactory.
in reply to your letter of the 10th 1 sont you yostordaj
indox maps of both Georgia and Tonnosseo.
This morning I received your letter of tho 12th cnclosii
nr. Edison' s idoas in response to tho suggestions mado.by
Captain Coulter. I telephoned Coulter that I had received
thorn and at L!r. Edison's request would hand thorn on to him,
and ashed him to come in the office which he will do this
afternoon. He said he felt highly flattered to ^Te his sug
rostions recoive tho notice and attention of hr. ndison and
greatly pleased that they have beenjsonsidered so promptly.
Your other lotti ~ nK 10 °''s‘
Tho Deportmont
rrcatly pleased that tney nave ueon ““ '
Your other letter of yesterday may bo answered as iollo..s.
Tho Deportmont of Agriculture does not publish anything show-
inr tho statistics of packing houses tut the ^cultural Sec¬
tion of the Census Bureau has compiled the statistics ,/hich
arc now in the hands of the printer as a part of the oomploto
report of the 1920 census which is expected to be issued very
shortly. This report will also include prices and indeed is
a compilation of everything that they have collected. I have
made arrangements to have a copy furnished me for you the moment
that it is available. There is no publication that X have boon
ablo to locate showing the prices of farm produots.
Yesterday afternoon tho box of records arrived and wo got
our first enjoyment out of thorn whon they were opened in tho.
offioo and i’iss pay kindly made a list of them. In the ovoning
at homo we had a regular recital with the neighbors on both sides
on hand. It is oortainly a splendid list and it is futile for
me to attempt to framo any expression that would convoy the
unanimous vote of tho family's thorough appreciation of thorn.
Won't you ploaso tell Ur. Edison how doeply grateful wo aro and
what an unlimited source of pleasure and oducation he has given
ust
Tie had a delightful trip to Richmond. Alice went with mo
and the children were left with my sister, the first timo Alice
Dear Ur. EdlBOi
As you^d^teTlT hnpfr . Congress failed to pr'evide V
an appropriation for operation d'f the ifcval Research Laboratory
during this fiscal year. The House had appropriated ^100 ,000/
but this was struck out by the Senate. /
x--'" \7e all realize and most highly appreciate the fact
/' that you are responsible for securing from Congress the appro-
j rjriation of Si, 500, 000 under which the Laboratqry has finally
l been constructed. It is felt that with the present policy of
Nroonomy, it may be difficult to get congress, to give us money
with which to operate next year, although true eoonomy and
preparedness would seem to lie in increased research work,
further if we do not succeed in getting the plant in operation
this year, it will be increasingly difficult to obtain money
for the same at any future time, while, if once we can operate
and show results, then, as the plant grows, its usefulness
will become more evident each succeeding year.
Although in your statements before congress you set
forth cogent reasons why the Hayy should have a Research
Laboratory, now that there is no imminent probability of war,
a word from you regarding the pro 3 c nt and future need for Buch
a naval adjunct wou?d hale great influence with Congress. May
we therefore ask you to write us a letter which we can present
in the Congressional hearings and in which you outline your
reasons and reconmendatiohs for the Operation of a Laboratory
by the Havy?
you may be interested in the enolosod photograph
which shows the present state of the plant. Within the next
few months all the contract work will have been completed, the
grounds cleared uja/and the plant ready for operation*
I realize the great liberty I am taking in making
this request, hut feel that your probable interest in ^e suc¬
cess of a projeot originated by you may be a sufficient exouse
I/am, Sir, most respe
i kb‘c
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
East Orange " "
!dison,U{
OlA l
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
iiovembor 1, 1022
&. a. Oberlin, Ban-',
Goranander, U- 2. Havy ,
Assistant Mrootor,
tiovy nepurt.mant,
Washington, V-G.
I have reoeivod your lot bar of
Oatobor 27th oonoernlng the liaval Heaearon
laboratory.
,7hilo I helped to seoure the ap¬
propriation in Congress I fought the Haval
Consult inn: Board and ovorybouy also 10
prevent the Haval Uesearoh laboratory from
toeing installed in Washington and from be
ing operated by Haval Office re, but my pro¬
test was disregarded.
I am not inalinod to randor any
further aid as X thJnfc tho present labora¬
tory will bo a sink-hole for monoy.
fours vory truly.
TAE-.FTii
Naval Consulting Board and Related Wartime Research Papers
Correspondence (1930)
This folder consists primarily of correspondence relating to a proposed
visit to the West Orange Laboratory by the members of the Naval Consulting
Board (NCB) in conjunction with their annual dinner commemorating the end
of the war. Although Edison expressed a willingness to meet them, he was not
well enough to see the visitors when they arrived on November 12. The
correspondents include Edison's personal assistant William H. Meadowcroft,
NCB secretary Thomas Robins, and NCB member Spencer Miller.
Four of the seven documents have been selected. Some of the
unselected items relate to the death of NCB member Andrew L. Riker.
Iatm, Consulting Boakd
F TOE OTTEI) STATES
If
C A ^
><MA
,October 14, 1930.
To the Members of the Naval
Consulting Board:
Our annual dinner will be held on Wed¬
nesday, November 18th, at the Century Club, 7 West
43cl 3t., New York City, at 7 F.E.
If a sufficient number of members would
like to call on Mr. Edison at Orange, I will make
the necessary arrangements. Our old .President
says that he will be delighted to see us.
win you kindly let me know as soon as
possible if you will attend the dinner and if you
would like to make the trip to Orange.
Yours very truly, /
LIBRARY OF
THOMAS A. EDISON
• 'T 16 1930
I •-CEIVED
7 'fu/woA
%
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}iUv
naval. co/vS0l77/v<:<>
October
eighteenth
1930
Mr. Thomas Robins,
13 Paris Row,
Hew York City.
Dear Mr. Robins:
The copy of your notice of the Annual Dinner of the Naval
Consulting Board was brought to Mr. Edison *3 atten¬
tion.
Ue asked me to write and say that he expects to be here on
November 12, and will be very happy indeed to see the
members of the Board if they desire to take the
trouble to come over to the Laboratory in the after¬
noon of that date.
With kindest regards, I remain
Sincerely yours,
Bdiphoned Assistant to Mr. Edison.
I Y/HU:C
Naval Consulting Board
OF THE UNITED STATES
13 Park Hot, Nkw York
November 10, 1930.
Mr. William H. Meadowcroft,
c/o Thomas A. Edison,. Esq.,
Orange, N. J.
Dear Mr. Meadowcroft :
According to our program, eight or nine
of us are leaving New York by bus at 3 P.M. on
Wednesday. We should get to the laboratory before
four o'clock. According to acceptances, those who
are making the trip are Addicks, Baekeland, Hutchi¬
son, Miller, Scott, Whitney, Arnold, Robins. It is
quite likely that Sellers and Emmet^iHj also go .
Yours sincerj
■*V;
^ vt*
NA /A t, C-O/JSOL-n
Telegram received at Glenmont
November 13, 1930.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison:
Naval Consulting Board assembled at its annual meeting
sends to its honored president Thomas A. Edison their most hearty
and cordial expression of affection and best wishes for his complete
recovery from his present indisposition, and furthermore, we desire
to send cordial felicitations to Mrs. Edison and this expression of
their appreciation of her love and attention to Mr. Edison.
Naval Consulting Board
Spencer Miller.
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS SERIES
CHEMICAL PRODUCTION RECORDS
Special Collections Series
Chemical Production Records
This series consists of two subseries corresponding to the two classes
of chemicals manufactured at Edison's plants in Silver Lake, New Jersey: (1 )
Organic Chemical Plants Records; and (2) Edison Chemical Works Records.
The Edison Chemical Works was established around 1905 to
manufacture the iron and nickel compounds used by the Edison Storage
Battery Co. (ESBCo). Around 1916 it became a division of ESBCo, with
Edison's brother-in-law John V. Miller continuing as manager and Charles F.
(Frank) Hunter serving as superintendent . Shortly after the outbreak of World
War I, Edison began constructing additional plants at Silver Lake to
manufacture carbolic acid (synthetic phenol), necessary for the production of
his phonograph records, as well as other organic chemicals in short supply.
Phenol Plant No. 1 , owned by Thomas A. Edison, Inc., began operations
within six weeks after the commencement of the war. It was managed by H.
H. Meno Kammerhoff, head of the Edison Carbolic Division (also known as
the Carbolic Acid Division). Phenol Plant No. 2, owned by Thomas A. Edison,
Personal, was in production by June 1915.
Three additional chemical plants, owned by Edison personally, were
subsequently built at Silver Lake. The Aniline Plant, which opened around the
same time as Phenol Plant No. 2, manufactured aniline oil, aniline salt (in
small quantities), and paraphenylenediamine. The Amidophenol Plant, on
which construction began in June 1916, produced amidophenol (also known
as paramidophenol hydrochloride or p-aminophenol). The Bendizine Plant
probably opened in November 1916, although it apparently never produced
benzidine.
Edison's personal phenol and aniline plants were initially managed by
Edgar S. Opdyke, a longtime associate who had previously worked for the
Edison Portland Cement Co. After Opdyke returned to EPCCo at the
beginning of 1916, he was replaced by Wilfred S. Dowling. In September
1916, James T. Phelan became manager of the Phenol and Aniline plants,
along with the new Amidophenol Plant.
In addition to the plants at Silver Lake, Edison constructed two plants
to manufacture pure benzol (a by-product of coke used in the manufacture of
synthetic phenol), as well as toluol, solvent naphtha, and naphthaline. One
was built at the works of the Cambria Steel Co. in Johnstown, Pennsylvania;
it began operations in February 1915. The other, a cooperative venture with
the Japanese firm of Mitsui & Co., was built at the works of the Woodward
Iron Co. in Woodward, Alabama; it began operations in May 1 91 5. Both plants
were constructed under the supervision of William H. Mason. The Johnstown
plant was managed by John Bacon, Jr.; the Woodward plant, by Claude H.
Opdyke.
After the United States entered World War I, Edison's attention shifted
to naval research, and he transferred his personal stake in the chemical
business to TAE Inc. A Coal Tar Products Division, managed by Kammerhoff,
was created, with separate departments for each plant: Carbolic Acid Dept.
(Phenol Plant No. 1), Phenol Dept. (Phenol Plant No. 2), Amidophenol Dept.,
and Paraphenylenediamine Dept. (Aniline Plant). At the same time, the New
Jersey Products Co. was established to manage sales. Unwilling to compete
on a long-term basis with the established chemical companies, Edison had
always intended to supply strategic chemicals only during the war emergency.
With the coming of peace, the benzol absorption plants in Alabama and
Pennsylvania were sold, and the Silver Lake plants erected during the war
were closed or scaled back.
The chemical nomenclature used in the editorial descriptions reflects
historical usage. For example, "benzol" is used for the modern term benzene,
"toluol" for toluene, "xylol" for xylene, and "naphthaline" for naphthalene. The
Edison industries appear to have used the terms "phenol" and "carbolic acid"
interchangeably, although distinctions were always made between crude
grades of chemicals, on the one hand, and pure (or "commercial") grades, on
the other.
It should be noted that the arrangement of the documents in the
microfilm edition deviates somewhat from the record group at the Edison
National Historic Site archives, which is organized according to provenance
into a "Plant Records" subgroup and a "Exide Corporation Gift" subgroup. A
finding aid is available.
Approximately 5 percent of the documents, covering the years 1913-
1 927, have been selected. Related items can be found in the "Chemicals" and
"Edison Chemical Works" folders in the Edison General File Series and
among the chemical contracts in the Harry F. Miller File (Legal Series). The
documents appear in the following order:
Organic Chemical Plants [from Plant Records Subgroup]
General Operations (1915-1917)
Amidophenol Division (1916)
Aniline Division (1916)
Carbolic Acid Division (1916)
Coal Tar Products Division (1917)
Phenol Division (1915-1916)
Johnstown Benzol Plant (1915-1918)
Woodward Benzol Plant (1915-1918, 1920)
Edison Chemical Works [from Exide Corporation Gift Subgroup]
J. V. Miller Papers (1913-1920)
C. F. Hunter Papers (1914-1926)
W. J. O'Dair Papers (1919-1920)
Other Experimenters (1914-1927)
Wax Division Papers (1924-1925)
Special Collections Series -- Chemical Production Records
Organic Chemical Plant Records
These documents relate to the production of organic chemicals from coal
by-products during World War I. The manufacture of Edison’s phonograph
records depended on phenolic resin, an early kind of plastic. When imports of
phenol (also called carbolic acid) ceased with the outbreak of war in August
1914 Edison quickly built a plant at his chemical works in Silver Lake, New
Jersey, to make synthetic phenol through the benzol sulfonation-alkaline fusion
process.
To meet his need for large quantities of benzol, Edison also built two gas
absorption plants in association with the coking operations of the Cambria
Steel Co. and the Woodward Iron Co. at coal mines in Johnstown,
Pennsylvania, and Woodward, Alabama. The reduction of coal in coke ovens
released valuable by-products such as benzol and toluol, which Edison distilled
and sold The toluol went to various foreign governments and munitions
companies for use in trinitrotoluene (TNT), while some of the surplus phenol
made at Silver Lake was sold to the U.S. military for use in picric acid, another
explosive. Edison constructed additional plants at Silver Lake to convert benzol
into other useful chemicals such as aniline and paraphenylenediamine for his
own requirements and for limited sale to industries hard-hit by wartime
shortages.
The records are arranged according to individual plant or division.
However, these documents do not constitute the complete business records of
those plants and divisions. In most cases, only documents from a narrow date
range have survived. The selected documents relate directly to Edison s
personal involvement or to his personal projects. Along with correspondence
and a few financial and accounting documents, the selected items include
representative examples of Edison marginalia appearing on the routine daily
production reports compiled by each plant.
The records appear in the following order: (1) General Operations; (2)
Amidophenol Division; (3) Aniline Division; (4) Carbolic Acid Division; 5) Coa
Tar Products Division; (6) Phenol Division; (7) Johnstown Benzol Plant; (8)
Woodward Benzol Plant.
Not Selected [from Plant Records Subgroup]
Para Plant of Edison International Corp. This folder contains a memorandum
from 1918.
Special Collections Series -- Chemical Production Records
Organic Chemical Plant Records
General Operations (1915-1917)
These administrative, financial, legal, and technical documents pertain
to various aspects of the chemical production facilities built by Edison after
the outbreak of World War I. Many of the administrative items involve his
personal business secretary, Richard W. Kellow. Among the legal agreements
are 1 91 5 contracts with Cambria Steel Co., Woodward Iron Co., Mitsui & Co.,
and Dominion Iron & Steel Co. regarding the establishment of benzol
absorption plants in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Woodward, Alabama, and
Sydney, Nova Scotia. Also included is a 1917 contract to sell phenol to the
government of France. Some of the technical documents involve senior
Edison chemical engineer William H. Mason, while others are both unsigned
and undated. They relate to the consumption of raw materials at Edison's
phenol and aniline plants at Silver Lake, New Jersey, and to the design and
operation of his benzol plants at Johnstown, Woodward, and Sydney.
Less than 10 percent of the documents have been selected. The
unselected items include several volumes of Chemical Still Production Logs,
one of which contains instructions and test data on benzol distillation. Also
unselected are many routine financial and administrative records; duplicate
copies of legal agreements; interoffice correspondence and statements
concerning shipping and billing of chemicals; inquiries from Italian textile
companies wishing to purchase aniline dyes, along with routine negative
replies; technical drawings not by Edison; newspaper clippings; and
documents unrelated to chemical production.
4
Hr. Edwin E. Slick,
Vice President and General Lianagor,
Cambria Stool Company,
Johnstown, Pa.
X hereby agree to eroot at may own expense a Benzol Absorbing and
Refining Plant at a place designated by you, and conveniently located near
one of your banka of by-product Coke ovens at Johnstown. This plant shall
be capable of absorbing all of the liquid hydrocarbons from the Colne oven
gas from Plant l!o. 1* suoh hydrocarbons being estimated at eighteen hundred
(1800) gallons, more or less, per day. The plant to be operatlonwithin
sixty (60) dayB from date, unless I am prevented b
complotirg within that tine.
/ unavoidable causes from
The Cambria Comoany to rent to no at a nominal rental the ground
upon which the ulnnt is to bo erected. This plant is to be owned and oper¬
ated by me, subject to suoh rules and regulations as you may lay down to
prevent any disturbance of your prosont gas system, and to provide against
danger of fire.
You will agree to soil to me all the oteam I may roquiro to oper¬
ate ay plant, the price for such steam to bo the usual price, provided you
have sufficient excess steam capacity to furnioh.
1 agree to pay to you eighteen (18) cants per gallon for all the
pure honzol and toluol absorbed, rofinod and shipped from my said plant. I
will also pay you ten (10) cents per gallon for xylol and solvent napthas
so absorbed, refined and shipped. In caso I am unable to soli the xylol
and solvent naphthas at a profit, houovor, 1 am to have the right to return
the same to the gases without payment therefor to you.
This contract i
a period of throe (3) years from this
At the end of the throe (3) year period, you are to have the
right, if you so desire, to purchase my plant at two- thirds {2/3) the anount of
its original cost. In case you do not dosiro to purchase tho plant, I shall
have tho right to remove it. In any ovent, after the expiration of the throe
(3) year period, if you ore continuing tho production of benzol and toluol,
I am to have the option of purchasing from you for a furthor period of three
(3) yeoro quantities of bensol and toluol equal to tho capacity of sy origi¬
nal plant, at tho true market prico for tho Borne yoor by year.
As you have another bank of by-produot ovons in connection with
desire to oreot on absorbing and refining plant, I agree that
whloh you may
you shall he entitled to uoe all ny plans, to copy ny plant, and to rocoivo
all necessary expert advice from no or my people to enable you to orect and
operate your own plant successfully, without any ohargo or olaira whatsoever
Yours vory truly,
(signed) Shoe. A. Edison
Chomas A, Edison,
Orange, ft. J.
Vie accept the above proposition.
Ci'.rCBRIA SEEKL CO:n?,ii!Y
E. E. Slide.
Vice President & General nanager.
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From tiio Laboratory
of
THOMAS A. EDISOIi
ORAiiGE, If. J. March 5th, 1915.
Winm.c A. Edison agrees to build a Beuzol Absorbing Plant at tho Coke Ovens
of the Woodward Iron Company at Woodward, Alabama, providing an agreement can
be obtained from that Company.
This plant to bo a duplicate of his plant now in operation at the Cambria
Steel Company, but with a somewhat larger absorbing capaoity.
Edison believes he can build this plant in sixty (GO) days from the signing
of the contract with tho Woodward Iron Company.
This plant shall be able to make pure Benzol and Toluol equal to the Barrett
Specifications. The capacity of the plant shall not be I06S than for tho
absorption of 2,000 gallons of Crude Benzol daily, providing the Woodward
Iron Company can furnish the gas.
liitsui & Company Limited are desirous of furnishing tho fixed capital and the
running capital for the erection and operation of such plant, and to become the
solo agents for tho sale of tho product therefrom during the operation of the
contract with the Woodward Iron Company.
It is therefore agroed, that if tho contract can bo made with the Woodward Iron
Company, Mitsui & Company Limited will place in the hands of a Bank or Truet
Company $58,000, and when the plant ie ready to operate, a further sum of
$15,000, which money can to drawn upon by Edison by chock to pay for the construction
and operation of such plant, all such checks being countersigned by Ilitsui &
Company Limited, for which they are to receive cecoiptod bills.
Mitsui & Company Limited further guarantee that should they not be able to sell
all ' the Benzol and Toluol they will nevertheless pay for the Benzol and Toluol
for which Edisou is bound to pay the woodward Iron Company.
Mitsui & Company Limited agree to keep accurate books as to sales which will
show profits from soles, of Benzol and also of Toluol alone or converted to
trinitrotoluol, and Sdioon will koop accurate books as to the plant and cost
of oporation.
As to repayment of the cost of tho plant from tho profits, it is agreed that
4 OjJ of the original cost of the plant to Mitsui & Conqxmy Limited shall be paid
out of the profits from the first year's operation; 35$ from the seoond year's
operation and 25$ from the third year's operation.
Ae to the free net profits, liiteui & Company Limited and Edison are to share
equally. After Mitsui & Compuny Limited have received the whole of the money
advanced by them for building the plant, then the plant ia to be owned by Edison.
Mitsui & Compaq Limited shall have the right to have a ohemiet of their own.
stationed at the plant, tlie Galaxy of ouch chemist to be paid by thorn and not
charged against the cost of operation or profits*
Edison agrees that if Mitsui & Company Limited horeafter desire to establish
a similar plant in Japan he will furnish then with plans and details in con¬
sideration of receiving from Mitsui & Company Limited a continuing royalty of
one cent a gallon on all pure Bonzol and Toluol produced at such Japanese
Plant.
Thoa. A. Edison
Ehunso Inland.
for Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
Witness to both signatures:
VAn. II. Meadowcroft.
Sins AGREEUEKS, nadQ by and batmen Ihomas A. Edison, of Orange, II. J. ,
hereinafter called party of tho first part, and Woodward Iron Company, a body
corporate tinder the laws of Delaware, hereinafter called party of second part,
W XTHESSETH;
1- Party of first part agrees, at his expense, to erect a benzol absorbing
and refining plant, at a place designated by party of second part, conveniently
located noar by-produot coke ovons at Woodward, Alabama, said plant to be capable
of treating about 12,000,000 or 14,000,000 feet of gas daily, plant to bo erected
and put in operation within sixty days from date hereof, unless party of first
part is prevontod by unavoidable causes from completing within that time.
2- Party of second part agrees to rent to party of first part, at a nominal
rent, the ground upon which said plant is to be orocted. Ehlc plant is to be owned
and operated by party of first part, subject to suoh reasonable rulos and regulations
as party of sooond part may lay down to prevent any disturbing of its present gas
system, and to provide against danger of firo.
3- Party of second part agrees to soil to party of first part all stoam he may
require to operate liio plant, tho price for such steam to be a reasonable or usual
price in Birmingham district, provided party of second part has sufficient excess
stoam capacity to furnish steam required. Party of second part is to furnish
party of first part with water required, being approximately 250,000 gallons por
day, and to connect its gas main to party of first part's plant, at its expense.
4- Party of first part agrees to pay fourteen cents por gallon for all benzol
and toluol absorbed and refined by party of first part at this plant, and also agrees
to pay to party of second part ten cents per gallon for xylol and solvent naphthas
so absorbed and refined at plant, but in case party of first part is unable to sell
xylol and solvent naphthas at a profit, he is to have tho right to return the same
to the gases without paymont thorofor, to party of second part, all payments to bo
raado On or beforo the 20th day of each month for benzol and toluol, xylol and solvent
naphthas absorbed and refined during the preceding month, party of first part, to
submit a written statement to party of sooond part of amounts so absorbed and re¬
fined during procodins month, with the right in party of second part to check and
make examination of party of first part's books.
5- Shis contract shall cover a period of throe years from tho date hereof
with the option in party of first part to torminate the contract at the end of the
first year, or at any timo thereafter, and remove the removable parts of the
apparatus, with tho right, however, or option in party of second part, at ond of
throe yoar period, or on oxoroise of said option by party of first part, after
party of first port abandons plant, to purchase plant at two-thirds of the amount
of its original cost. In event party of second part doos not oxeroiso option
to purchase, party of first part shall have right to remove plant.
6- If party of second part takes over plant under the provision hereof, and
if, after the expiration of three year period from this date, party of second part
is continuing tho production of benzol and toluol, party of firct part is to have
the option of purchasing from party of second part for period of throe years
quantity of benzol and toluol equal to the oapacity of party of first part plant at
the market prioe from timo to time during each year, provided however that in event
market price at any time is not satisfactory to party of Bccond part, party of second
part shall have the right to decline to Bell and store its products awaiting a
market prico that is satisfactory to it.
Ill WITNESS WHEREOF, party of first and cocond parts have hereunto
their signatures in dnplioato, this 15th dny of llaroh, 1915,
(Corporato Seal)
ATTESTS
R. n.,.Baniata£_
Secretary
Party of first part.
'WOODWARD moil COilPAliT,
A. H. Woodvmnl _
Vico President.
Party of second part.
JU.
Haroh 18, 1916
Ur. Pullin:
I attach hereto a copy of contract stored into hy
iilMlKlllHS
per day, Sundays and holidays not included.
Shis of course you will ship in the large drums once
a week.
M””* “»■ S5t.fit*;iSSSti -*• «“*
period.
B SaTs ”HSr-,.
“Ml. “AS.lr tr.o*.
Please notify our Purchasing Department eaoh week when
a dri Sf thli Serial is ready at Orange so their truck
oan call and get it#
A standing requisition should bo issued to cover the
agar &0 *.
good condition, freight oharges propa^r, oredlt will
allowed. /
mum / H- *• l0“1”e
Copies to aoo.ro. Edieoa, HiiW, B«ssro». thlllpo. »• *• S'*"4'
Cheshire /
nlP. IND.
TE S SITU R A
%/tbo' / S:
© © O
.
& ** # V/
/ Yersey.
w.s.a.^'^X
njw-'^-wT' *?, l'-6-^fc- (£,L&„ V ' j, ^ST /X
- ■•.... 'v J>x>
Vui' vvt,‘M •t^'l‘ under strand you are producing colouring stuffs^
on Yam dye.
To the Manager
Thdmas A. Edison Eye Works
Silver lake
£1^ &■(£„ y
:for Cotton
.... ... l dye. I
Being large consumers of Sulphur Black,, Blue and Olive we
;would feel obliged to you for putting before us your offer with
! cheapest oash prices.
Kindly forward also some sample lbs. for testing Which you
mayiinvoioe plus respective charges
Awaiting your kind news.., we are,, Bear Sir ,
/
f truly
_ ti L£~~ ^ L“"“ ^
• — <==?
J
June 7th. 1915.
Fill Oltollna & Cl.,
As so , Italy.
Gentlemen:
Your favor of the 16th ijltimo has
heen received, ana In reply T hee to say that
I do not make the colors, hut only Aniline Oil
and Aniline Salt, which our people here use
with acid ana Chlorate of Potash for making
blacks on textiles. At the present time, I
have made contracts for all Hie Aniline Oil and
Aniline Talt that I can make thl3 year, hut
later on I may possibly dnlarge my riant and sell
more .
Yours very truly.
. Z ^<9^rs*
dc
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From the laboratory
of
3H0HAS A. ED Iti OH
QRAHGE, II. J. Fob. 1st, 1916.
Arrangement agreed to between Ur. Edison and Hr. Plummer
February 1st, 1916.
Benzol to be supplied by Dominion Iron & Steel Company to
Edison under the old contract, at 250 per U. S. gallon.
Freight and duty to bo paid by Edison on delivery. 20,000
gallons monthly to be delivered to Edison under old contract.
Edison to make an additional contrast to take from Dominion
Iron & Steel Company 5,000 gallons additional per month,
or 10,000 gallons if tho company can supply it, starting in
Fobruary and continuing to December 31st. 1916. She
price to be paid by Edison for this additional Benzol is
590 per gallon at tho Steel Company’s Plant. Edison pays
duty and freight to Orange. Edison to supply tonic cars
at regular intervals to the Railroad for delivery to
Sydney.
Ho tiling herein to abrogate conditions of old contract as
to the throe years or the royalty.
now.
/A ' A- A” A
i,„x 1 f
/ lA/
M1LLBF
COPY OP IitKMORAHDUlA._I.Q_MR . MAMBBBI ON HIS NOTATI.QH.
DATED 2/1/16.
"MR'. MAMBERTj - - - - -
_ "9, 069.050 cubic feet of water were used by Aniline .and -
Phenol Plants of T.A.E. .Personal, over period July 1st ,1915, to
January 31st. 1916. according to charges made by Edison Carbolic.
Division of T.A.E. , Incorporated. This period- covers 215
calendar days and the water is charged at 90^ per 1,000 gu.ft.. _
which makes the cost per day $37.97.
"R. W. Kellow
"3/22/16."
— f°y<> -
yoj* '£r£+-^v&'
<^c>yo <*Jafth£a-
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f ^ £cz**U£
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Z *-Jh>-£^-o£ hyUZA^y
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(^/rr*. dp&y^y-t It^uo^
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01*-
~&<>TrrjjhgUA>--X*&Zitu^ <${_ '£Lt*-psr
a^e. ojL^aze. £^-cj& "-&>m*TC-
Mr. A. 0. Emery, purohueing Agt.,
Orange, N. J.
Dear Bir:-
I am enoloaing you herewith statements showing daily and weekly
requirements of Raw Materialfl for both the Aniline and Phenol Plants, in
aooord with my promise a few days ago.
Yours very truly.
Manager.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
DAILY AND WEEKLY REQU.TRl*2ffiNTS OF RAW MATERIALS FOR AMTT.TMb nTVTSTOH
QUANTITY
QUANTITY
MATERIALS USED
PER DAY
PER WEEK
Beniol
1000 gals.
7000 gals.
Mixed Add
24500 4
171500#
Hydro Chlorio
1200# - 22°
840Q#
Iron Filings
8000#
56000#
Line
300#
2100#
Zino Duet
5#
35#
Acetic Acid
400#
2800#
Sulphuric Aoid 98 J5
1700#
11900#
Caustic Soda
300 §
2100 #
Cool
5100 #
35700#
Soda Ash
200#
1400#
Fuel Oil
25 gals.
175 gale.
Bone Blaok
175#
1225#
“Tfrsly /£./<?/£
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
DAILY AND WEEKLY REQUIREMENTS OF RAW MATERIALS FOR PHENOL DIVISION,
MATERIALS USED _
QUANTITY
m DAY
QUANTITY
m. bbl
Oloua
20637$
143759#
Common Salt
11800#
83160#
Calcium Chloride
308 If
2156#
Bensol
1650 gale.
11550 gale.
Cauotic Soda
14500 jf
101500#
Seheel Salt
ns#
5145#
Coal (Soft)
5000#
35000//
" (Hard)
4000#
28000#
Coke
2000#
14000#
Chamber Acid
9605#
67795#
Sulphuric Aoid 98 j.
3000#
2X000#
Nitre Cake
-
Ammonia
7#
50#
Fuel oil
25 gale.
175 gale.
/ h /*?/ £
UITSUI & CO., LIMITED
hew York, October SO, 1916
Thomas A. Edison. Inc.,
Orange, H. J.
Attention pf lirt. V.:t..H,_lLqadims.roftJ.
Gontlemen:
Confirming our conversation at your office yesterday,
re thank you for your ogroomont to talcs the entire production of
Bonnol from Woodward Plant during the year 1917 at the price of
<L7-l/2(* per gallon, f. o. b. Silver Lake, H. J.
Yours very truly,
UITBUI & CO., 1IUITED
Assistant Uanager
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
BUILD I1TGS
Aniline
Phenol (Operations 1 ,2,3,4)
" ’• 5,6,7 ,8,9 )
.. .. 10
Aniline Boiler #1
Office
Aniline Salt
Vfash House
Stoclc room and Llachino Shop
Aniline Boiler #2
Blacksmith Shop
• Phonol Recovery
213
214
215
219
221
223
Laboratory and Carpenter Shop
Phonol Carbonating Plant
Oil House
Caustioizing Plant
Lime House
227
228
229
Amidophenol Plant
Scale House
Hydrochloric Plant
Bonsidine Plant
234
236
237
235
Dooombor 4th, 1916
STEJJBCBs Schodulo to cover Hew Ilatcrlaln for llonth of Bocoribor
It. A. C. liwrjr.
Purchasing Sorvico Bopt:
I7o havo attachod horo a.nc rv cchodulo of the daily require-
rants of row materials for tha month of Booonibor viliioii will hold good until further
not loo.
' You will note that on account of the anticipated increase
in production of Paraphcnylenodl amino wo have incroasotl the quantity of Glacial
Acetic Acid roqulred per day to 1,000 pounds. V/o havo aloo, account of the reduc¬
tion in the Aniline Plant, shown the new aohodulo of tho delivery of JUnod Acid, and
BouboI.
,^.-r y Idaho call tho3e non figures to the attention of the non
in your depart rent looking after tho dollvory of those raw naterlalo oo as to avoid
confusion.
J. 5. Pholan,
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
pact TIA'FJUAL yCT mv
to tot, GK^A^Tfin OF skk finwiPnmoi.. APU.ETP ft SW?Wt PMES.
kubl.
loo
Hltrito of Soda
Caustic Soda
Soda Aah
Salt
Zlno Bust
Sin Dust
Ulzod Aoid
Bonsai
Iron Filings
Lina
Cool
Acetic Aoid (Glacial)
Aootio Aoid 28$
Sulphuric Aoid 90$
Olouo 60$
Wliito School Salt
Coal (Bord)
AfniwumnoL MHMBE - smm - S^i-
2,-l/z tons 1-ton S’1/2 tono
2005 2008
100O& 250005 260005
3005 3008 6006
2005 14500# 167005
4005 Bff 40BS
3000# 2000& B000#
609 70 5 12°#
25# m
1100-gals llOO-gcl
650 " 1700-cola* 2350 "
9000# 9°00#
200# 20C#
a-tcmo 2-tcmo 4-tono
1000# I000*"
200# 2009
250-cola 500-solo 750-colo
24000# 24000#
S00# 5G0#
3- tono 3-tono
SNOW ALL MRU BY THS3E PHR-iEHTS:
That the undersigned , Thomas A. Edison, of the
Iow, of West Orange, in the County of Essex and State of
e* Jersey, does hereby make, constitute and appoint
I SHOT B. HAMBERP, of the City of East Orange, in the
ounty of Essex and State of Hew Jersey, his true and law-
hi attorney for him individually and for the account of
ihom it may oonoern as thoir interest may appear, to sign
tnd verify all Proofs of Loss for or in oonneotion with the
Cire which occurred on October 10. 1916 at the Aniline and
?henol plants of the undersigned located at Belleville and/or
31oomf ield , Hew Jersey.
And the undersigned hereby gives and grants unto
I his said attorney full power and authority to do and perform
all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necess¬
ary to be done in connection with the prosecution and collec¬
tion of the undersigned's claim for Insurance because of
said fire, es fully to aLl intents and purposes as the under-
j signed might or could do if personally present, with full
of substitution and revocation, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that the said attorney, or his substitute,
I shall lawfully do. or cause to be done, by virtue hereof.
IN WISHES !3 WHEREOF, said ThoraaB A. Raison has
II hereunto set his hand and seal this da? of Bee. 1916.
(L.3. )
I Sworn to and subscribed before me
this any of Bso, 1916.
1 AGREEMENT dated the ItfiL day of January, 1917,
3 between THE REPUBLIC OF FRANCE (hereinafter called the
3 "Buyer") and THOMAS A. EDISON, with an office at' Orange,
4 New Jersey, United Staten of Amerioa (hereinafter called
5 the "Seller"), RITNE88ETH:
6 That the parties hereto have agreed and do here-
7 by agree as follows: That the Buyer has contracted to
8 purohase from the Seller and the Seller has oontraotea to
9 sell to the Buyer, at the prioe and upon and subjeot to
10 the terms and conditions following, via:
11 ARTICLE: Phenol,
13 SPECIFICATIONS : It is understood that the phenol will con-
13 form to the following specifications: That it will contain
14 not less than ninety-six per cent (96$) of absolute phenol;
15 that it shall have a fusing point above 39° 0., and at least
16 ninety per oent (90$) shall distill at a temperature not
17 greater than 183° C. It shall be soluble in 19.6 parts of
■18 water at 35° C., and shall otherwise conform to the tests of
19 the United States Pharmacopoeia, Eighth Deoennial Revision,
30 Yfith additions and revisions to June 1, 1907.
31 QUANTITY: Nine hundred thousand (900,000) pounds of suoh
33 phenol.
33 PRICE: Forty-nine cents (49jt) per pound of suoh phenol de-
34 livered free on board oars the Seller's plant with freight
35 charges prepaid and borne by the Seller to New York City,
36 No additional prioe shall be paid by the Buyer to the Seller
37 on aooounf of any Federal or other tax of any- kind.
, : . " , , v -
~28 ~ PACKAGES : The phenol hereby contracted for shall be oon-
39 tairied by the Seller, without cost to. the Buyer, in metal
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
drums suitable for ocean carriage and of suoh oonstruotion
and fastening as reasonably to assure the transportation of
the phenol undamaged to point of destination, eaoh eush drum
to oontain approximately 250 pounds of suoh phenol and to
conform to the latest Interstate Commeroe regulations with
respect to the transportation of phenol. The drums shall
be marked by the Seller in suoh manner as the Buyer may di¬
rect and shall become the property of the Buyer.
TIME OF DELIVERY: The Seller agrees to deliver the phenol
hereby oontraoted for or to have suoh phenol completely manu¬
factured in aooordanoe with the requirements of this agree¬
ment and ready for final inspection as follows: One hundred
and fifty thousand (150,000) pounds during eaoh of the months
of January, February, March, April, May and June, 1917, it
being understood that delivery of the entire Nine hundred thousand
(900,000) pounds of phenol hereby oontraoted for shall be
completed by June 30, 1917.
With the written approval of the Buyer, the Seller
shall have the right and, if requested by the Buyer in writing,
shall use its best efforts to deliver the phenol hereby oon¬
traoted for in advanoe of the respective dates and in excess
of the respective quantities specified in the above schedule
of deliveries until all of the phenol hereby oontraoted for
shall have been delivered. Any phenol the delivery of whioh
is so anticipated hereunder shall be credited against subse¬
quent deliveries specified in the above schedule of deliver¬
ies, or, at the option of the Buyer, against then existing
arrears .
Time is of the easenoe of this agreement and, aooord-
ingly, the Buyer at its option may at any time., or from time
2
60
61
63
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
73
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
83
83
84
85
86
87
88
to time, refuse to aooept and pay for any of the aggregate
quantity of phenol required hy the above, schedule of deliver¬
ies to be delivered or to be completely manufactured in ao-
oordanoe with the requirements of this agreement and ready
for final inepeotion at the end of any month named in the
above eohedule of deliveries and/or at June 30, 1917, which
the Sellar shall fail to have delivered or to have complete¬
ly manufactured in accordance with the requirements of this
agreement and ready for final inspection, ae required by the
above eohedule of deliveries at the end of any such month
and/or at June 30, 1917. The failure of the Buyer to exer¬
cise any of the above rights of cancellation of late de¬
liveries shall not be deemed to be a waiver by the Buyer of
any of said rights of cancellation of late deliveries there¬
after accruing. The exeroise of any such right of cancella¬
tion of late deliveries by the Buyer ehall not affeot the
reepeotive obligations of the Seller or the Buyer hereunder
to deliver and to aooept subsequent instalments speoified
in the above eohedule of deliveries.
In the event the Seller ehall fail to have deliver¬
ed or to have completely manufactured in accordance with the
requirements of thiB agreement and ready for final inspection
by Maroh 31, 1917, at least fifty per cent (50$) of the aggre¬
gate quantity of phenol required by the above schedule of de¬
liveries to be delivered, or to be completely manufactured in
accordance with the requirements of thiB agreement and ready
for final inspection by Maroh 31, 1917, unless euoh failure
on the part of the Seller shall have been due to delays oaused
by strikes, fires, explosions, riots, acts of God or other
3
89
90
91
93
93
94
95
96
9?
98
99
100
101
103
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
similar cause a beyond the Seller's reasonable control, or to
delayo caused by the Buyer, the Buyer at ite option may, with¬
out liability to the Seller terminate this agreement in its
entirety except with reapeot to any phenol hereby oontraoted
for then delivered or then completely manufactured in ao-
oordanoe with the requirements of this agreement and ready
for final inspection.
The failure of the Buyer to exeroiae any right of
cancellation provided for in the preceding paragraph shall
not be deemed to. be a waiver by the Buyer of any said righto
of cancellation thereafter accruing.
The above rights of cancellation shall be in addi¬
tion to and not in exclusion of any other rights, olaims or
remedies which the Buyer may have against the Seller growing
out of the failure of the Seller to deliver phenol hereunder
at the respective times and in the respective quantities
epeoified in the above schedule of deliveries.
It is also understood that the Seller shall not,
without the written permission of the Buyer, deliver any
monthly shortage of phenol in any subsequent month.
MORE OF DELIVERY; Delivery shall be made by the Seller to
the Buyer, free on board oars at Seller's works, with freight
charges prepaid and borne by the Seller to Haw York City.
In the event the Buyer desires to divert the de¬
livery of any of the phenol hereby oontraoted for from Hew
York City to other United States port or ports and gives
prior written notice to the 8eller to this effeot, the
phenol covered by said notice shall be shipped by the Seller
to auoh other United States port or ports and the Seller
shall prepay the freight charges on such shipment, it being
119 understood and agreed, however, that In case the ooot of tranB-
130 portatlon of auoh phenol from place of manufacture to such
131 other port lo above or below the ooBt of transportation of
133 auoh phenol from plaoe of manufacture to New York Olty, the
133 Buyer shall pay to the Seller and the Seller shall allow to
134 the Buyer any auoh Increase or dsoreaae, respectively , in
135 aaid ooot of transportation.
136 TERMS OF PAYMENT ; The entire purchase prioe of any particular
137 lot of phenol hereby oontrabted for shall be paid by the Buyer
138 to the Seller within ten (10) days after presentation to the .
139 Buyer, at the of floe of Messrs. J.'P. Morgan & Co., 33 Wall
130 Street, Now York City, of proper invoices and certificates
131 of inspection and aooeptanoe with respect to suoh lot of
133 phenol executed by an inapaotor of the Buyer approved by en-
133 doraement of the French Mission in New York, aooompanied by
134 railroad billa of lading (marked "lighterage free - for
135 Export") showing delivery of suoh lot of phenol f.o.b. oars
136 Seller's workB, with freight oharges prepaid to New York
137 City or other port, as above provided.
138 INSPECTION: It ia understood and agreed that the phenol here-
139 by contracted for is autojeot to inspection at the works of the
140 Seller by an Inspector or inspectors of the Buyer and to ao-
141 oeptanoe by the Buyer after suoh inspection. The Seller
143 agrees to afford to such inspectors the fullest opportunity
143 and adequate facilities for making suoh inspection and teats
144 of the phenol as the inspectors deem necessary in order to
145 ascertain its compliance with the requirements of this agree-
146 ment .
147 STORAGE: Upon written request from the Buyer the Seller agrees
,, at the Seller's expense and risk for a period of not
146
to st<
149
150
151
153
153
154
155
156
15?
156
159
180
161
163
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
173
173
174
175
176
177
178
to exoeed thirty (30) days, any quantity of the phenol hereby
contracted for which is then completely manufactured and ready
for delivery hereunder. An advanoe payment equivalent to
ninety per oent (90J&) of the purchase price of any phenol eo
stored shall be paid by the Buyer to the Seller within ten (10)
days after presentation to the Buyer, ae aforesaid, of certifi¬
cates exeouted by an inspector of the Buyer certifying that
such phenol complies with the requirements of this agreement
and certificates exeouted by an authorised officer of the
Seller setting forth that such phenol has been plaoed in
storage by the Seller, together with a bond or guaranty
satisfactory to the agents of the Buyer executing this agree¬
ment on the Buyer's behalf to the effect that the Seller shall
repay promptly to the Buyer euoh part of said advanoe payment
as shall not be absorbed in the manner hereinafter provided
by delivery of the phenol so stored free on board cars
Seller's works with freight oharges prepaid by the Seller to
New York City, or other port, as above provided. The payment
of such advanoe payment to the Seller shall not relieve the
Seller of its obligation ultimately to deliver the phenol
so stored free on board oars Seller's works and to bear the
cost of transportation of such phenol from place of storage
to New York City, or other port, as above provided. Upon de¬
livery of any phenol so stored the advanoe payment made by
the Buyer with respect to such phenol shall be deemed to
have been absorbed and the unpaid balance of the purchase
price thereof shall be paid by the Buyer to the Seller with¬
in ten (10) days after presentation to the Buyer, ae afore¬
said, of proper invoices and railroad bills of lading showing
delivery of euoh phenol free on board cars Seller's works
179
160
181
183
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
193
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
300
301
303
303
304
305
306
307
308
with freight charges prepaid to How YorJc City, or other port,
as above provided.
CONTINGENCIES; The obligations of the Seller hereunder are
enbjeot to strikes, fires, explosions, riots, acts of God, war
or other similar onuses beyond the Seller's reasonable con¬
trol preventing the performance of such obligations. This
provision, however, shall not be oonstrued to modify or
limit the several rights above given to the Buyer in the
paragraph entitled "Time of Delivery" to refuse to aooept
and pay for any of the aggregate quantity of phenol required
by the above schedule of deliveries to be delivered or to be
completely manufactured in aooordanoe with the requirements
Of this agreement and ready for final inspection at the end
of any month named in the above schedule of deliveries which
the Seller shall fail to have delivered or to have completely
manufactured. in aooordanoe with the requirements of this
agreement and ready for final inspection at the end of
any suoh month or for any of the entire quantity of phenol
hereby contracted for which the Seller shall fail to have
delivered or to have completely manufactured in aooordanoe
with the requirements of this agreement and ready for final
inspection by June 30, 1917, it being understood that these
respective dates shall not be postponed by reason of the
provisions of thiB paragraph.
DELAYS: Delays in the manufacture of the phenol hereby
contracted for caused to the Seller by the failure of the
inspectors of the Buyer to inspect suoh phenol promptly
when ready for inspection shall operate to extend the
schedule of deliveries above speoifi'ed in the paragraph
herein entitled "Time of Delivery" for the period of delay
7
309
310
311
313
213
214
315
316
31?
216
219
330
231
323
323
234
325
236
337
238
239
330
331
333
333
234
335
336
237
so caused to the 8eller, provided the Seller shall have fully
notified the Buyer in writing at the offloes of Messrs. J. P.
Morgan 4 Co., 33 Wall Street, New York City, also the Frenoh
Mission, 10 Bridge Street, New York City, at the time or
times of the inspectors' alleged failure so to inspeot said
artioles promptly, of all facts relating to such alleged
failure to inspeot and of the period of delay in the manu¬
facture and delivery of the phenol hereby oontraoted for
alleged by the Seller to have been oauBed thereby.
ASSIGNMENTS AND SUB-CONTRACTS: The Seller shall not be per¬
mitted to assign this agreement in whole or in part or to make
any sub-oontraot for the manufacture of any or all of the
phenol hereby oontraoted for without first securing the
written approval of the Buyer of the proposed assignment or
the proposed sub-oontraotor or sub-oontraotors.
CONDITIONS: If by reason of the declaration, passage or en¬
forcement of an embargo by the United States Government, or
other notion of its officials or agents, the phenol hereby
contracted for cannot be exported from the United States, or
in the event of the termination of the present European war
or the oesaation of hostilities therein upon the part of the
Buyer by reason of the signature by the Buyer of a general
armistioe or otherwise, prior to completion of deliveries
hereunder, the Buyer at its option may terminate this, agree¬
ment, but, in such event, the Seller shall be entitled to
receive from the Buyer the unpaid purohase prioe of any
phenol then delivered hereunder or completely manufactured
and conforming to the requirements of this agreement upon
the delivery thereof and in addition thereto to receive from
238
339
340
341
343
343
344
345
346
34?
348
249
350
251
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
259
260
261
362
363
264
the Buyer a eum efficient to protect the Seller against the
Seller' o actual net expenditures and actual net outstand¬
ing obligations made or incurred with respect to the phenol
ths delivery of which is so cancelled by the Buyer, suoh ad¬
ditional sum, however, not to exceed in any event the pur¬
chase price of the phenol the delivery of whioh is so can¬
celled by the Buyer. In case of such termination of this
agreement the Seller agrees to do everything in its power
to reduce the amount of the Buyer's said obligation and,
for the purpose of determining the amount of the Seller's
actual net expenditures and actual net outstanding obliga¬
tions, shall oredit the Buyer with the fair value of any
materials, phenol in process of manufacture or other pro¬
perty with respect to whioh the Seller shall be entitled
to protection from the Buyer under the provisions of this
paragraph.
ARBITRATION • In the event of any disagreement between the
parties hereto as to the compliance of any phenol with the
requirements of this agreement, samples of the phenol
which is so questioned shall be submitted to an arbi¬
trator agreed upon by the parties hereto, or in the event
the parties hereto are unable to agree upon suoh an ar¬
bitrator within ten (10) days, to an arbitrator appointed
by the President of the Chamber of Commerce of New York
City, whioh arbitrator shall be a recognised phenol ex¬
pert. The decision of any suoh arbitrator shall be final
and his fees and expenses shall be paid by the party here-
285
266
367
368
269
370
371
to whose test la so determined to he inoorreot.
THIS AGREEMENT is executed in triplioate
day and year first above written.
um tausm « * “1 let"“ ““
,i ^ HlWE. oh.-i.t. of 50 *. 4!=t Street, 0*7.
„ oI I„ »«=. hereinafter “1Ui 5‘' J “
irst part, and the EDISON CHEMICAL COMPANY, organized under the
irS P * and having its factory
avia of the State of
T'j .7 hereinafter oalled "Edison
nd office at Silver Lave, N.J., herein
»rty of the second part.
mat for ana in e.n,id.ra«ion of th. am of »•
lat (Si.oo) w ...» <* *»« Mr,to “ th' °th" “
“ It ro..ipt of nhich it herehy — 0- -
nail, oon.ii.rati.na hereinafter r.oit.i, it as **" y
and oov.na«t.i t.«ee. the parti.. h««‘° “ ,
! „ i. represented that Hir.oh ha. ««>* »
process or oo— - — * “
Lilted to 1. novel, -oh .«P of — «. *—• “ ^ '
meroial ep.rati.n and giving good W'°”1 °““
I part of .... ether prose., of »nnfaot«re, ly -eh s~
. nB~irrlrg »ith phenol •» 5° sent. p" p°“'4
li„.ti.» of »fPe looinning o.™.roi.Uy
rr,r.r.trr:“ r_ . ~
“T^;rir:r:: r--rr
:;rr— ::r.:r.r.:=—
jentations ar. »t.ri.l to this oontraot.
2. Edison has a plant and organization until very re¬
cently successfully engaged in mating phenol and para-amidopheno]
and lite bodies and spare equipment available for use in mating
phenaoetin and is prepared to purchase new and special equipment
not to exoeed §5,000, that may be required to produce 200 pounds
of phenaoetin a day. It has also in the Hew Jersey Products
Company a subsidiary now capable of marveting its products and
purchasing its raw materials at reasonably near the quoted prices
current, and has ample capital or credit for the mating and
marveting of 100 to 200 pounds of phenaoetin a day. These rep¬
resentations also are material to this contract.
3. Hirsch agrees to disclose to Edison's selected rep¬
resentations first the full details of said process or series
of steps for maving phenaoetin and state the essential apparatus
and conditions to be therein observed and tests to determine the
commercial completion of the successive steps and agrees not to
mave any disclosure thereof to any one else. The disclosure of
the para-amidophenol process now actually operated at a cost
of $2.00 per pound for crude hydrochloride ready to enter the
phenaoetin process, shall not be made until Edison has elected
under clause 6 to proceed with the process and assumed the ob¬
ligation to pay for at least six months' operation, whereupon
this disclosure shall be made and this step become a part of the
process .
4. Edison agrees to regard the same as confidential
and a secret process and not to use the same or so far as it can
prevent to permit the use of the same without paying Hirsch
therefor as hereinafter provided.
5. Hirsch agrees to furnish free of charge his own per¬
sonal service for consultation and advice at such reasonable
times as may be required during the periof of planning, con-
Btruotion and starting of the plant, the aaid period not to ex¬
ceed sixty ( GO) days and to furnish, on demand a foreman chemist
instructed ir. carrying out the process to Edison for all or part
of his time, as Edison may demand, for a period of ninety (90)
days at the rate of a dollar (ftl.00) per hour for the time spent
on Edison' 3 work.
6, Edison agrees to exercise all reasonable diligence
(a) in testing the process on a small scale and shall wit hin
two weeks either definitely elect in writing to use the process
and construct the plant for between 100 and 200 pounds a day as
described by Hirsch, or else definitely release the process to
Hirsch agreeing to use no part thereof for making para-amido-
phenol or its hydrochloride except only such part as Edison has
already been commercially using before November 1, 1916 and no
part whatever thereof for making phenaoetih, as follows.
(b) If Edison elects to use the process it shall forth¬
with arrange the plant and construct or buy the additional ap¬
paratus required (not to exceed in cost §5*°00. unless Edison
prefers to buy or construct more expensive equipment) and shall
complete the plant as quickly ns reasonably possible to buy the
added apparatus within the oost names.
(o) If Edison has elected to use the process it shall
secure and train the necessary labor and put the plant in com¬
mercial operation step by step as rapidly as reasonably possible
7. Edison agrees not to permit to pass out of its pos*
session, not to sell or offer for sale any para-ami dophenol or
para-ami dophenol hydroohloride or mixture containing either of
these chemical substanoes made in whole or in part by the pro¬
cess disclosed by Hirsch except only such parts of said process
-3-
as Edison has been commercially using before November 1st 19 17
which old process Edison shall disclose in writing to Tf. il.
Grosvenor immediately upon the signing of this agreement and he
shall be the final judge acceptable to both parties what if any
parts of said process Edison has already used.
8. fifteen days after the close of each succeeding three
months period after the starting of the plant Edison agrees to
pay Hirsch in lawful money of the United States one-third of the
difference between the selling price received (from the user by
it or its subsidiaries or brokers, e.g. Hew Jersey Products Co.
for the phenacetin sold) and the average ooBt of mahing the
phenacetin made during the said three months period, said cost
of malting to include all material and labor and immediate super¬
vision and control of said process at actual cost of securing
same which shall not exceed reasonable costs at prevailing mar¬
ket prioes plus an addition of 25# thereof (to cover overhead
and selling oharges, interest, etc.) and agrees to heep full,
clear and correct records of all things necessary to the deter¬
mination as above described of the amount due Hirsch hereunder.
9. Hirsch shall have the privilege at reasonable times
of examining these records and inspecting the operation of that
part only of Edison's plant utilized for the carrying out of the
processes disclosed hereunder.
10. Edison shall have the right at any time to cease en¬
tirely the malring of phenaoetin by this prooess upon thirty days
written notice to hirsch of its intention to do so but agrees
thereafter for a period of five years not to use any of the steji
of this process for the manufacture of para-amidophenol or its
hydrochloride or phenaoetin that passes out of its possession
and until it shall so cease it agrees to pay to Hirsch, as pro-
-4-
videcL In Paragraph 8, not less than §5,000 as his share of the
profits for eaoh successive six months period after the execu¬
tion of this contract whether or not any profits have been earned
during said period. In the event that Edison shall either fail
to m&ve such payment or shall cease upon notioe to manufacture
as herein provided, Hirsch shall have the option of withdrawing
Edison's right to operate the process under this contract. In
such event, and only in suoh event Hirsch shall have the right
to manufacture phenacetin or aid or advise or cause others to
manufacture it.
This contract shall he binding upon both parties hereto,
their heirs, executors or assigns for a period of five years
after Edison shall cease upon notice to manufacture or shall fail
to mave payments as provided but in the event that Letters Patent
of the United States be secured by Hirsch shall be continued
for the life of said patent or pi tents the expense of securing
and litigating said patent to be included in the cost of mailing
the phenacetin provided for in Par. 8.
It is mutually agreed that in the event Edison or any of
its representative agents or employees shall use or attempt to
use or disclose or attempt to disclose or sell or attempt to sell
or dispose or attempt to dispose of the process or any part
thereof in violation of this agreement, the said Hirsch shall be
entitled to an injunction from any court having jurisdiction in
which cose Edison shall be considered to have elected to use the
process under olause 6 et se^« hereof.
In witness whereof, the parties have hereunto affixed
day of •
their hands and seals this
Special Collections Series -- Chemical Production Records
Organic Chemical Plant Records
Amidophenol Division (1916)
These documents relate to the operations of Edison's Amidophenol
Plant at Silver Lake, New Jersey, which was built during the summer of 1 916.
Amidophenol, also known as paramidophenol hydrochloride or p-
aminophenol, was used in dyes, photo developing, and pharmaceuticals. The
selected items include a technical report on chemical synthesis, along wrth
daily production reports bearing Edison's marginalia, employees
mentioned in the documents include manager James T. Phelan and
experimenter Peter C. Christensen.
Less than 10 percent of the documents have been selected. The
unselected items include materials inventories, financial and accounting
documents, and numerous routine daily reports.
REPOST OP CONFERENCE HELD 7/ITH 1IR. CHRISTENSEN AT HIS OFFICE
P.1!. OCTOBER 17th, 1916.
1
i 1-a (Nan^d 1
September 27th.
Base Salt Solution
264 pounds Aniline Oil
9 CO " Acid (when using 20)
(A little less when using 2
Biazitising Solution
Operation l-o
264 pounds Phenol
175 " Caustic Soda
300 " Soda Ash
2 CO " Salt
3000 “ Ice
Colled - Bye
Redaction
Sa f
Chriltensen^n HVoSow
in other words sov^ toys S 8* the entire report as
etc. each toy, s° f “19 tak0 the amount we receive and the material
vTha^onS 2? “thTn^efcf^atoLsInd that «ndd Sive you the real total.
I-a goes into l-o. Bye has a value to us hut as yet we have no good way of weighing
it.
Neutralizing
» ss =s-s =---
.r:rs >ru m .«*>» »« >*•»• — *
ns
the tank. Vie are having a measuring stick made for this purpose. Vie
should get. about 204 pounds oil back again. There is possibly a loss' of about
% in the operation. The total amount of oil recovered will be shown on the
slips every day.
Neutralizing That is reduced dye neutralized with Hydrochloride Acid and you
will have to secure from Mr. Hoffman the amount of H.C. Aoid used per batch.
It varies so greatly cannot give average figure.
Sodium Sulphite Approximately no value. Only use at the most 3 or 4 wounds,
per batch and it costs more for labor to send for it than it is worth. Yflien
the stook is exhausted we will have to make it for our purpose alone and then
of course it mill have a value.
I give you the amount of Bone Black used for the purification
and you have the amount of material that we have shipped and that divided into
your batches will give an average.
Bono black use about IS pounds as an average.
Tin Obtain this figure from averaging up the amount of tin
used per batoh.
AMIDOPHENOL PLANT
THOMAS A. EDISON
Daily Report of Raw Material and Finished Product On Hand
Silver Lake, N. J - - 4. - 191-4
■*“9M<i,s” amidophenol plant
THOMAS A. EDISON
Daily Report of Raw Material and Finished Product On Hand
Silver Lake, N. J - / 0. - 191-
. AMIDOPHENOL PLANT
THOMAS A. EDISON
Daily Report of Raw Material and Finished Product On Hand
y^-^r:4/ • iqi (
Silver Lake, N. J._
AMIDOPHENOL PLANT
THOMAS A. EDISON
Daily Report of Raw Material and Finished Product On Hand
Silver Lake, N. J. Jfoc, ■ 2L —191,
Special Collections Series -■ Chemical Production Records
Organic Chemical Plant Records
Aniline Division (1916)
These documents relate to the operations of Edison's Aniline Plant at
Silver Lake, New Jersey, which began the production of aniline and related
organic chemicals during the summer of 1915. The selected items consist of
daily production reports from May 1916 signed by plant manager Wilfred S.
Dowling. The reports bear marginalia by Edison expressing concern about the
drop in the production of aniline oil. Also included is a communication from
Peter C. Christensen explaining the reasons for the decline in output.
Less than 5 percent of the documents have been selected. The
unselected items include workers' accident reports, financial and accounting
documents, non-Edison correspondence, and routine daily production reports.
ANILINE DIVISION
— o. ANILINE division
THOMAS A. EDISON
Daily Report o, Raw Materia, and Finished Product On H^nd
, Sil«arL.k=,N.J.._ami^/^l9l-t
Mixed Acid
Benzol
Hydro-Chloric Acid
Iron Filings
Nitro Benzol
Coal
Oil of Vitriol
Acetic Acid
Caustic Soda
Lho thill*
to TL
/lS37o *
2^0 "
3 8 3-?*
Z5 *
/i/ 0 0 o o'
Zb X H- s *
(S? 7*5 .
Average Daily Production
I, . - ' e'3'i*
Average Yield Per Pot Per Day
„ ..
Per Cent of Yield
3 *
Total Production of Paraphenylendiamlne
I “ Z3 7* .
Average Daily Production
„ .. ^4^ j
Average Dally Production Per Working Day
. . f
aniline division
THOMAS A. EDISON
ANILINE DIVISION
THOMAS A. EDISON
Daily Report of Raw Material and Finished Product On Hand
Silver Lake, N. J., 191 L-
f
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C^£ . .A-T.tAS.U.. /f(lffZ^MZl..^:LC..^X(-'-(A*-f <f . f*t'.Clt.en-l-
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! J^nn ,>-■/ ^^TT^'CyrOir- /svsi .->utrt . . 4-<r . ,< •;>
.. ■In. .UlfL-yUr.. 2ffut.r, . OSL^tter. «. «*_**£.
Si Lt, 4 //rd-tct lSi-t rs r / t : P-Unu* :«• / /Ctsiu):/.- •
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CLt-cCo A,ua. '4-VfMjnjJiu- <UlS7l&. _ cD: .
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Cy&'tsl'l. s ,£<r~ &’/( ft -1.L, 'i.-UtxL^ _ i^Z^CpjpL*- -&iC?l.u/tjJ:f .
v V . /'
•^c^f /&~7s(££itt . . ........ . - - -
CuSl /jJtnJLct-L*r 7<X<r ej i f <£rf. <\ii. .tn^u&ki. —
i sl'/ t') ? ) _ /7/7j^~ ^/uJi Urtsfjf/ CiTtts&.'i UtI\1'£__C2lAI . . .
! CUtif' JUxI Tc-UdS .
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l(a$. _ (7> /S£ _ —
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Cl{jCt/ls(l4 (/ytA'L (j^L±-jXC Cstdt d&j LUL^L _
“ ■ / 7 / /
Special Collections Series -- Chemical Production Records
Organic Chemical Plant Records
Carbolic Acid Division (1916)
These documents relate to the manufacture of "P. [pure] Phenol" at
Phenol Plant No. 1 , the carbolic acid plant owned by Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Many of the selected items are interoffice communications by H. H. Meno
Kammerhoff, manager of the Carbolic Acid Division. Other correspondents
include Edison officials Archibald C. Emery, Stephen B. Mambert, William H.
Meadowcroft, and Carl H. Wilson. There are also production reports signed
by Kammerhoff and bookkeeper Walter E. Burton and initialed by plant
superintendent Ralph C. Hendrickson. The subjects covered include
operations and labor issues, sales and purchasing, and the relationship
between Kammerhoffs plant and "Mr. Edison's plant" (Phenol Plant No. 2).
Some of the items are addressed to Edison or bear his marginalia.
Less than 10 percent of the documents have been selected. The
unselected items include duplicates, routine daily production reports, financial
and accounting documents, inventories, and other material not directly related
to Edison.
w^rFi3th' 1916-
aM
Iter 'l ■-:<■. ■^' ft'
* ~
C i <• ^— ' ' iiater
2
sir - 1
. > Bonso
It y-
J. ^ Sulphuric Aci
H L— Limas tone
‘T *
}_*■=> Soda Ash
i S • j Caustic Soda
d 1-^
^ i r .
IKOBEASS OF PRODUCT 1011 OF •'. PHSilOL
l for a production of 7,000 IBs. of P. Phenol
mid Be raised to S,000 IBs. of
" . . 7,000 "
'• \ / 1,500 »
» ^''\4,000 "
os into consideration only the material
mo wo are turning oyer to the Aniline
U30(I "by oursolves • Since aonio time v/o are turning over to the Anil
Plant Between 5,000 and 0,000 pounds of 90, j Sulphurio Acid per day.
rn T\ ■ a-u ^ v- - <=•
, • _ ^ cc-«aT v-
Referring to your itemo ,' 3447, dated arch 14th, I hog
to hand you the enclosed ordor for your approval, and add for your in¬
formation: .
V«o are usingdi&fr the present tins Sulphurio Acid for
our neutralizing Process, hut X got tho ordor from Ur. Edison to use
Hi trio Calm instead, and to put up the necessary apparatus. In regard to
the fact that a similar apparatus for the sane purpooo is in use in Itr.
n this way guide do livery
T
Copy to Hr. C,
I.lr. v;. II. Lieadowcrof 1 1
DISCOLOilATIOlI OF P. PHEHOL
Y;e have made a fow experiments lately to find out if the
sun-li$it has any effect on tlie color of P. Phonol, and in what v.’ay the
light may change the color. I am sending you to-day three sample bottles ,
and hog to add for year information:
First Samr.lo — Taken from Batch 29 - Still 1.
Solidifying Point, 40.3 - Distilled Fob. 2, 1916.
This Piionol was distilled once, fho saiaplo bottle shows,
after exposing it since iiarch 25th to the sun-light, at the exposed side
some spots of discoloration.
Second Saarolo — Taken from Batch 60 - Still 1.
Solidifying Point, 40.6 - Di3tillod larch 20th, 1916.
-his Phenol was distillod twice, and tho sample oxposod to
the sun— light on I.'arch 25th. She phenol in the sample bottle shows dis¬
coloration at tlie exposed side to a remarkably larger extent than in the
first mentioned bottle.
i'll ir d Samnle — i’ahcn from Batch 60 - Still 1.
Solidifying Point 40.6 - Distillod larch 20yth, 1916.
Shis Phenol wa3, after being distilled twice, redistilled in
oui- laboratory. That moan3 that this Piionol ha3 boon distilled three times,
and then exposed to tlie sun- light on ilarcli 25th, The exposed side shows
discoloration to about the same extent as tho 3econd mentioned Phenol.
All three sample bottles prove tho fact that the sun-light
affects the color of the Phenol, tho side of the bottlo oppooito the ex¬
posed 3ido remaining distinctly white. The experiment further soems to
indicate that a second and third distillation does not make the Phenol more
immune from discoloration, y/he twico and three times distillod Piionol show¬
ing rather more discoloration than that which i3 distillod only onoe,
Obviously it is not impurities that cause the discoloration, as otherwise
the first mentioned sample, which has boon distilled only once, should be
more discolored than tlie two other samples. /
At any rato, I thou£jit the result of this oxperimenty'beVVS’
of so much intorost, that I should draw your attention to it. I also think
that it mi gilt interest Lir. Bdison.
cause they did not liicc to oo oent .«»* *,w • •> .
part of January up to now to rogulato tho coiwaptiano* l no ir
by working on weok-doys only, shutting down on ounc-aj*, -
n-ir work. Oonsooucntly, the abovo list shoes m .coiuary t\
^h«-sovon working days. It is , howover, obvious thr
duos more P. Phenol, owing to tie fast tnnt our production por
v;as 5,375 lbs. only, whilst it was in Doconbor 7,729 lbs.
paatodly our consuuption to tho point micro wo wo^lo. have UJ
lack o/caterial, is :nado clear by tho following figures, ta.oi
ports which v/o send to tho Laboratory!
March 10th
» 14th
» 24th
April 1st
o had Bonsol on iiand for 12? Days ,
irains raw uatorial
; Sunday for re-
i tv-four, and in
we can easily pro
irkin',' day in Marc:
close we kept re-
shut down owing b
from our daily re-
WAGES Fffi OUR IAB0KER8 ._
Referring to our conversation of yesterday, I beg to submit to
you the attachod list of laborors, handed to me yesterday ni^it by a committee
of throe men. According to this list, the men demand 27-1/25! per hour as an
equal rate for everybody.
As an explanation to the spirit under which this list has been
signed, I want to add that the spokesman of the committee said^he himself had.
signed not because he was dissatisfied (his present pay is -83-l/a^ per hour),
but because his fellow workmen wanted it.
/ Under the present circumstances , X would suggest that we answer
/the men that we are willing to let them go back to work by offoring them the
' Bame rate that is paid in the Phenol Division of Mr. Edison, i.e., 25£ per hour
for laborers in the mill, and 22-l/2 i for those working in the yard, besides
time and a quarter on Sundays and holidays in case thoro is any work to be done
I oan comaunioato with tie
1 know your decision a
non further.
s possible, so that
Copies to Messrs. I. A. Edison, V:. H. Moadoworoft, S. B. Mambert, H. ItuBk, file.
EDISON CARBOLIC DIVISION
CARBOLIC ACID DIVISIOII.
I jt
PRODUCTION OF P. BHBKOL
I herewith beg to inform you that the total pro¬
duction. for tho fiscal yoar from March, 1915, to February, 1916,
inclusiro, was 1,709,373 pounds of P. phenol. 7/ith tho end of
tho month of April we como wall ovor tho two million pounds marie,
tho grand' total from tho start in Soptonibor, 1914, to tlio ond of
April, 1916, being 2,143,353 pounds. She development is out¬
lined on tho accompanying bluo print, i’hc month of November, 1915,
appears to bo the b0 3t month in regard to production, with nearly
200,000 pounds, duo to a comparatively hirji supply of raw material,
Copies to Messrs. C. H. Wilson, 3.
Mamba rt , H. Music and file.
C/iiBOLIQ ACID DIVUIOII
Oilvor taloo, II. J.,
- f ^
\K f t
You vri.ll undoubtedly havo oboorvod that oiuoo a ^ J
Jf/
. ilAUli'JXO HOPA
/yy
1 %tf‘
ooupla of dayo tho ntoolc of Oauatic 3odn for thio irivloiou
aoins down, no new laatorlal eoains in. In fact our pronont otool:
is onoufji for oiu dcyo only. About a your c.'jj I aalccd too
i'urchasins Poparthont — vdtli tho aijprovnl of hr. Edinon --
tbn<; ooidp of, rrulphurle aold and bonsol, wo outfit to hero onoutfi
otooK on to lost un ono nonth. >'-t tho prosont tlno this
occoao with ooda coll only, :~nd I tcho this opportunity of
3 you to TiniHy brintf our stool: up to tho propel' quantity
t all pooolblo.
h. JCCESJJ
'})f 9dJw~>t Copios t0 ::ooBra* 1J* aoe(bort «* n* :i,a!c‘ “• K* :*odoT?oroft*
Kan^erfeff lu* z^.Sfo fa Cc***U*
*2. h-zs.Lo'l & "
%hu 7 M’,f6 . . ,J / ~ s /x
<fj /r JrJrcicJ*, p.U***. ^ to
h U. jvUxnj& & StJd /< ^ .
?}U*
V
At tbo start oi tbo last fiscal yoar, that is, In March, 1015, a
rffiodaotlon of 4,000 pounds of *. Phenol was oonoiOorod an nasdom, ^ contracto
for tho nocoooory r aw motor! ol woro oloood 1 y tto
inter ’"r. Ed icon decided tint oar production aarjit to bo inoroaood, a. ota-ioarc.
7 MO rounds tar day was adopted as nornsl nestaua. Oils would bo oqual to
4loo0 tSo of v. monol nor math, or 150 days. Itto* tho momM bluo
nrlnt sou will oboorvo that oo far v/o hero only in ono nonth, in Uovonbor, lOlo,
r^aohod a nrotootion of marly 300,000 pounds, whilst during tno ft)llo\.ino nonth
this fi;nro dropped to about 160,000 and 170,000 poundo, iliio variation waa u.io
ontiroly^to Sof raw aatorial, aid it lo thio situation which taM m to
££ romatodlyibr a cozy of oar oontraoto for raw mtorial conoornins tUo
Division. It lo still" not quito oloar to no whether our con^raooo 1
cover a nrodnotion of 210,000 pounds of P. l’borol por nonth or not. Bon-ol,
v’oii aa Ziiil'nhiu’io Acid* io uood not only l11 I)ivioion9 but to quito *
«vi^nof to A. Edison also. < «a
uuont omhanojo hsvo toicon plaoo, oocordlnG to Mr. edlson'o and a . . .oadovreroft o
ah z£$ *
sisff4s»r jc s&s ssfxns « «
vn imvn boon ounsliod bv hr. Edison* o Phenol Division. ..o fa. *-o I -aio\;
nm ilr. Soiraroft. S n>ro Ohonbor Aoid will bo dallvorod aftor our prosont
Socte, onourji for anothor 20 days, has boon uood
Pltrio Onto in stools boosuoo Mr. Edison's Wwnol Division oaa not “•
nitric Goto £ a subotltuto for Oulphurio Aoid of 9£& or of MKdJo» "0«*“
S! end tat. Edison wants us to use Hltrio OSSo oo soon as I»oolblo,boeauoo it
canto boutfit in any doolrod quantity, ;nd ooqparativoly ohoop, whilst prlcoo lor
3ulptario Aoid aro ooin;; hi^or all tlio tino.
CARBOLIC ACID DIVISION.
(L'C'-e-w.t^c lXo
Silvor Late,
Kay 11th,
3. Emory,
Purchasing Dopt.
Yovir Memo #1469.
a Atm? 11 29th._
in a conference hold at the library in Oranee, on
auction which this Division can turn out.
Several nnnths ago I stated to Mr. Edison that we
(t) 9,000 *•'•» ■ . "
in acoordanoe with ny statement of May 6th, the
following figures are divided into three groups, i.e..
First , By using ge^Suiphuric AoUon^. chamtar Acid.
SEE* g £5 5Sg 54 «5S5. ^ «* SSw »«= «*•
First, By using 98# Sulphuric Aoid only,
9000 Its, 270000 Its.
~ £?SS _ . . . JGSk
■ ^alsj ' 46368 gals, or
_ _ _ J- wfirinn nminda
8000 lbs. / 240000 lbs.
*.~'eals." " *52164" gals,
or 12600 lbs, or 578000
54000 lbs,
31500 «
6760 "
18000 ”
lbs.
1620000 lbd,
945000 "
202600 "
540000 "
/'
CARBOLIC ACID DIVISION.
I herewith beg to inform you that ws have e
the following four sample bottles to Squibb & SonB, each bottle oon
taining a sample from one batch. The whole shipment will consist of
26 cans of 250 lbs. each, or net 6500 lbs. of P. Phenol twice distilled.
Still NO. Batch No. Can No. Solidifying Point Pounds Net.
* M2-53 909 to 914 40.5 6 Cans 1500 lbs.
362-63 964 to 970
40.6
6 Cans 1500 lbs.
7 Cans 1750 lbs.
7 Cans 1750 lbs.
I0tal _ 6500 lbs. net.
A^,e 'jM •,
r H ,.>h
Vi 'f r*J
^ J.
, vi‘-v ' ^i‘ „
1 *L 1 1^* ,? .t
cr'v
EDISON CARBOLIC DIVISION
of
THOMAS A. EDISON, INC.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison:
S\Ve submit 'herewith report of raw material and finished Product o
MATERIAL
QUANTITY j
SUPPLY OnIiaND
QUANTITY
ON ORDBR
Benzol
9,199 . Gala, j
BiV Days
Sulphuric Acid
312*377 U»8.
g «
100,000 Lbu.
Powdered Limestone
116,078 "
4
100,000 "
Caustic Soda
171,521 ’•
io >h "
66,000 »
Soda Ash
63,500 "
10 "
50,000 "
Coal
1,744,696 "
23 -
400,000 "
Crude Benzol
8,932 dais.
Fused Product
19,790 Lbs.
Sodium Salt
42,816 "
1
Crude Phenol
13,744 "
Phenol (Recovered)
i 40,203 "
Chamber Acid
j _ 123,100 "
6 Beys
EDISON CARBOLIC DIVISION
THOMAS A. EDISON, INC.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison: Hay 26th, _ 1916
We submit herewith report of raw material and finished product on hand this date.
Number of days’ supply on hand is figured at a production of 7,000 lbs. of pure phenol per day.
On Hand May 26th, 1916
Delivered to Finished Stock .
Total production this month to date 161,530 Lbs.
'Average daily production this hc6*iA?0unted ft
! SHIPPED I*®? 26th, 1916
To Wax Plant
: Amor loan Oil & Supply Co. 1,260 Lbs.
! T. A.E. Phenol JJivision . 2,000 11 -
General Eleotric Co. 950 11 _
.*£:*!] y$"
k . 4,200 Lbs.
EDISON CARBOLIC DIVISION
of
THOMAS A. EDISON, INC.
CARBOLIC ACID DIVISION.
Sllrer lake, N.
Mr. T. A. Edison. June 8tJl» 1916 •
SuJ> jeot : _._REmVAL.JDF BENZOL STILL
According to your instructions received yesterday over the 'phone,
our benzol still has to be removed to some other place, in order to have the muffle
furnace for iron sulphate put in operation. The best place I can find for the
benzol still seems to be near our store-house, as indicated on the attached blue
print. The benzol still would be far enough away — about eighty feet — from
the railroad track, as to exclude danger from sparks coming from the locomotives.
I have given Hr. Herter a sketch showing the main measurements of the
benzol still, and understand that he is designing a building to be put up by the
carpenters from the Laboratory, after you approve of the design and the location.
The removal and new installation of the benzol still is a compara¬
tively small matter. I feel it ny duty, however, to call your attention to the
fact that the muffle furnace is located dangerously near our sulphonating pots, the
distance being 34-l/2 feet only on a straight line. You will remember that in
December 1914 we experienced an explosion which, as far as I can judge, was due to
benzol vapors coming in contact with the open gas flames which at that time were
used for heating our salt drying tanks. The distance between the tanks and the
sulphonating pots was 63 feet, or about twioe the distance between the Bulphonating
pots and the muffle furnace. Under normal conditions, i.e., as long as tho
weather is clear and dry, all windows in the building being open, I am not afraid
of having an open fire as near as 30 or 40 feet from the sulphonating pots. In
damp weather, however, the situation is quite a different one, the benzol vapors
having a tendency to stay near the floor, spreading along to all sides, and carry¬
ing a fire, the moment they get ignited somewh#(t^ back to the sulphonating potB,
and causing an explosion.
It may be that I am going too far in regard to safety, but I think
it better to explain the situation fully before you decide on this matter, and am
giving as a further explanation hereto a sketch outlining
11.
('i CARBOLIC ACID DIVISION.
X Beg to inform you that this mornln6/about Sj30;we had
a little fire in our Phenol distilling plant, the oause of which is not
quite clear to me yet. I am sure that no benzol or benzol vapors
could have been ignited, ae benzol ia not handled in the dietilling de¬
partment at all. but there la Just a possibility that a short circuit
between wirea may have occurred.
Che damage done by the fire, fortunately, is limited to
acme wooden posts and windows. Our men got the fire quicKly under
control, so that it did not spread to other parts of the buildings.
Chare will be no interruption generally of our plant.
We are going rigit ahead to manufacture Crude Phenol and store it for
a couple of days, in which time I expect to haye the distilling plant
running again*
M. KAiaEHHDFP/^1
-n-
„ . . _ m ' i. Edison, Hambert, Headoworoft , file-
Copies to Messrs, x.
CARBOLIC AO ID DIVISION.
(5
Silver Lane, N. J.,
Juno 13th, 1916.
Ur. A. C. Emery,
Purchasing Dent.
Having been informed by Mr. Ueadowcroft that Ur. Edison wants
us to prepare immediately for certain changes in our method of shipping Phenol,
I am sending you attached hereto five orders for small quantities of packing
material. She orders are stamped "Emergency", and I have to ask you to kindly
arrange that this material be sent to Silver Lake without delay, ns wo depond
on it to start shipments in bottles. V'e very probably will need this material
in larger quantities in tho near future, but inasmuch as 1 do not know at the
presort tine what quantities of Phenol will be ehipped in bottles, I must
restrict the enclosed orders to rather small quantities.
OUR REQUISITIONS 20405, 406, 407, 418, 419,
dated June 7th and 9th rasnectlvelv.
I was instructed by Ur. Ueadowcroft the 7th of this month to
arrange filling of Phenol into bottles beforehand ac quick as possible, and
therefore ordered the above mentioned requisitions after finding out in what
shortest time tho material could be delivered. The name of firm and time of
delivery given us on the 'phono was montionad in our requisition.
Y.'o were promlsod material on order #20405 within throe days.
20406 from stock.
20407 " " .
20418 within two days.
20419 " " " .
Y.'o have so far rocoivod #20407 only, and no weights wore included.
1 would appreciate it if you would let me know after veooipt of thie Memo when
wo may aspect delivery. Ur. Ueadowcroft asks me to make it olear to you that
Mr. Edison is spooiolly interested that the new arraagoment of shipping Phenol
in bottles bo made ready without any delay.
Juno 10th.
Ur. !■!. Lanmerhoff, Manager,
Carbolic hi vis ion,
Silver Lute, II. J.
hear Sir :
At Ur. Edison's osnrecc request I -.rite
this letter authorising you to cl low Col. Bryant,
hr. _.oaoh and hr. S same. to 1st i to go through the
Carbolic Plant. Col. Jryant is tho Commissioner of
Labor of the State of Hew Jersey, ana the other
gentlemen aro also connected with that Bureau.
Yours Tory truly.
Assi stent to Ur.
Edison.
GABBOLIC ACID DIVISION.
Ur. Xhomas A. Edison, Pros.,
Xhomas A. Edison, Inc.,
Oran go. New Jeraoy.
In 21 working days — four days lout by labor trouble —
we produced 173,739 lbs. of P. Phenol, or about the same quantity as In
March. Xhe total cost per pound of P. Phenol was 40.76, of which 15.583(i
are due to higier prices of raw material. Xhe price, furthermore, was
influenood 3.13^ for an Increase in depreciation.
At the prices prevailing last spring for raw matorial, and
at the previous rate of depreciation, the cost por pound of P. Phenol would
be 30ji. Xhore remains, then, a higher cost of 3 i, compared with our stand¬
ard figure, mainly due to double distilling of Crude Phenol, slightly higher
expenses for labor, higher consumption of water and considerably higher
prloes for Fuel Oil. Here v;ater is used at the/presorit time because the
warmer weather is influencing the consumption/ end besideo we are using more
water for dietilliug our Phenol twice. /
Ib/apoctfully yours,
EDISON CARBOLIC DIVISION
of
THOMAS A. EDISON, INC.
|Mr- TJtomas A. Edison:
| < We submit herewith report of
Number of days’ supply on hand is figured at
Juno 21st, 19 16
aw material and finished product on hand this date,
a production of 7 ,000 lbs. of pure phenol per day.
Benzol
Sulphuric Acid
Powdered Limestone
Caustic Soda
Soda Ash
Coal
Crude Benzol
Fused Product
Sodium Salt
! Crude Phenol
OUANT1TY
16,297 Gals.
162,772 Lbs.
445,500 •'
2,868 ••
18,243 "
1,677,478 "
None
33,194 "
SUPPLY ON HAND
1 Phenol (Recovered)
• Nitric Cake
! Chamber Acid
! Fuming Acid
• Fuel-011 ' -
; On Hand June 21st, 1916
Delivered to Finished Stock
FINISHED PRODUCT
say flap:;.
To Wax Plant
In Stock for Spot £
250 1-lb bottles
250-lb. cans
Total
^ 0<c6av£- ^(ic C& (y. <* cr^)
(,,L tf-'U'*U 'ijl't.C'uX'L'l f'( ^r--/'''(’
c2-Cri\.UL* -
Lfe 4.^ v^<^(
oW(Jr t'f. C 6--~C(\jq
ijLcrtsJrz) O'-sf? Sr ^ ra- l (~> £-»
^ <? L t>- S, <SXM4-
^/- ttr£. L*-t,C T<j
I
. ^jxtCytr
A-®,(ca
j. rukc.ci u>c<£ 1/tt.iSt^A «x.
3 1^* nv .
-V6
O'UUkilic AOii) nivzoion.
,/ aUoon Otanioal . oilaa.
SubJOOt* v OfHBBiliKlO^ OP -
ad far tools on January Slat of tliio yocr v.o tovo brought tlio
mttor of macarlus otora oonoanod by ycrur iiidbol lydrato briars to your at¬
tention. i?o toto mentioned tho unfavorable conditions Again to our lottar
of torch lOtli. ffarttsomoro, tin ijiostlon too boon broutfit up different
tiroo during oonforonoon bold in tho Library in Oraaen. Co for you hato
not crrangod for a atoaa no tor daring tlsooo fivo nontba.
V,0 oortsinly do not Uto to bring tlilngn of minor 3x®ort~
snco to Edison* a attention. Inansnoh, howovor, no our oxpenaoa for
oteaai aro growing, whilst wo aro unablo to oontrol the oltuntion, wo will
to eorigollod to noli IS*. Edison to oottlo tliio too at ion if you hoop on con¬
suming atoan from our tolloro without iu*ovi ding a motor to noosurs it in
tbo proper way. v.o boro pointed out to you that it will bo uoooooaiy to
char go you with tto inoroaoad amrunt of steam not accounted for daring tho
Mm that your consumption lo not noasurod, and wo aro (ping to do thin
starting vrith tlio bodmiing of tliio month.
Copied to lieooro. Wilson, ihriiart (2) male end file.
OAHBQLIO ACID DI7I3I0H.
Phono 1 Division of 2. A. Edison,
Attention of lir. Dowling, Dlv. hgr.
You will have heard from Hr. Mason that a pipe 11ns and
punning arrangement betweon your plant and our Division has boon In¬
stalled to pump over to us Sodium Carbonate In liquid form, Whioh will
be used as a substitute for the Soda Ash, which we used previously, in
order to simplify the billing of the Sodium Carbonate solution, we are
putting dorai the gallons^pumped over by you into our tanks from time to
; time, In the some book In which we kBop record of the steam motor. She
figure in gallons received from you la acknowledged In the reoord book
by one of your officials, so that at the end of the month there will be
no doubt oo to how many gallons we have to pay for.
following Hr. Edison's orders, the expenses for the in¬
vestment of pus® and pipe line from your aide up to the end of the
oonneotlng of the pipe tunnel are to be paid by you, vhllst we pay for
the Investment of the storage tanks end pipe line located In our Division,
hr. Edison, furthermore, settled the price to be paid per gallon of the
Sodium Carbonate solution at 0.46(<, the solution to contain as an average
15$ of Sodium Carbonate.
\Ye presumo that our dally consumption will be In the
neighborhood of 3,000 gallons, which would mean an expense of $13.60
every 24 hours. She arrangement is In operation alnoe the 26th of
loot month, and is working so far voiy satisfactory, and v;e hope that
will be able to keep the variation In the speolflo gravity within
f the limit so for experienced^
Please let ue have as sson aa possible your bill cover*
lng the consumption for last month from June 23rd to June 30th Inclusive ,
showing a total of 16,868 gallons.
Ooples to hossro. S. A. Edison,
, 3. B. haobort (2) husk, Hollow.
Special Collections Series - Chemical Production Records
Organic Chemical Plant Records
Coal Tar Products Division (1917)
These documents relate to the operations of the Coal Tar Products
Division of Thomas A. Edison, Inc., and its predecessor, the Aniline Division.
Many of the selected items are interoffice communications by H. H. Meno
Kammerhoff, who took over the management of the Aniline Division after it
became part of TAE Inc. Some of the items are addressed to Charles Edison,
who oversaw the reorganization of the chemical plants as departments within
the Coal Tar Division. Other correspondents include Archibald C. Emery,
manager of New Jersey Products, Inc., which was established in May 1917
to handle the sale of Edison's chemical products. Included are documents
pertaining to the shutting down of the two phenol plants and the suspension
of production at the Amidophenol Plant, due to increasing stockpiles and
declining prices. There are also some daily production reports of the
Paraphenyienediamine Dept., bearing marginalia by Edison, along with other
items attesting to a dramatic increase in the production of that chemical
during the second half of the year.
Approximately 50 percent of the documents have been selected. The
unselected items include business correspondence on matters not directly
related to Edison.
I L I It E
DIVS3I01I
Confirming our conversation of
yesterday, I beg to inform you that the 3enzidino
Plant io not, and never )iaa been ready i'or starting
the uuaiufacturo of Benzidine, Bince I dosm it in-*
porativo to soo that as quickly ao poBBihle the mnnn-
facturo of Phonol, Para phonylonedlamino and Amldo
PJionolhyarochloride he put on a regular manufacturing
basis, I would advise postponing the question of manu¬
facturing Benzidine for a short while. X would like,
of course, to tcCio this .-.attor up teodiately, but
that would moan that under the present circumstances
tlia .manufacture of Phono), Para ihenylonedi amine and
Ami ao phonolhydrochlorido would have to suffer to a
extent .
Youra vory truly.
!. C. to lies arts. Chaa. Edit
aniline dihision
SILVER T.ATtB NE,V JERSEY
June 20, 1917.
Hew Jersey Products, Inc.,
165 Broadway, Hew Xorfc City.
Subject: PARA HITRO AOETAHILHI FOR A. KLIPSTEIH
Yfflir Letter of June 8
Gentlemen:
Referring to our conversation of yesterday, I beg
to oonfirm the deoision we agreed on, that we will start on July
1st to manufacture about 200 pounds of Para Hitro Aoetanilid per
day, supplying in that way the 5,765 lba during the month of July.
As this means taking part of our products away from toe material
needed for Para Phenylenediamine , it is understood that mill July
31st the daily production of the latter material will not lnr
creased ab®ve the present figure of 400 pounds per day. TM®, of
course, does not mean that I will not try to increase the production
of Para Phenylenediamine before the end of July, hut it rather
serve to make the situatioh clear to you that the supply B, 675 pounds
of Para Hitro Acetanilid naturally delays somewhat the increase of
Para Phenylenediamine to the desired 1,000 pounds daily.
Yours very truly,
AHILIHE DIVISION Of
THOMAS A. EDISON, Incorporated
Manager
Silver lake, H. J.
July 18, 1917.
Mr. Ohas. Edison,
Mr. 3. B. Marat* rt (2)
SUBJECT I
Production of Para_
FILE
Eeferring to oar telephone conversation of yesterday, it seen*
to me that there is sane misunderstanding as to the present state of production
of Para, and I would, therefore, teg to sutmlt to you what follows*
At the beginning of last month the Hew Jersey Produots Oanpary
wanted n». Just as soon as possible, to deliver, besides Para, the balance of the
old order of Hitro Aoetanilid, this balance being 5,766 lbs.
The Hitro Aoetanilid being a product which is, in later operations,
being used for the nrmrfaoture of Para, it naturally follows that tte delivery of
Hitro Aoetanilid will out down, to a certain extent, the ™imf “toreof ^ra. l
made this absolutely clear in a letter to the Hew Jersey Products ^ted
^me 20th, a copy of vfcioh I attach hereto. X promised, according to that letter,
to supply the 57766 lbs. of Hitro Aoetanilid during the month of
that^oonsequently the manufacture of Para would not be raised above 400 lbs. per
day before the end of July.
Our dally report of July 17th shows a total production, so far
this month, of 6,469 lbs. of Para or an average daily produotiMi, per month d^,
of 321 lbs. Figured per worsting day, (in thirteen days ) »
p__ ___ But. aside nrid apart from this, we have delivered 6,420 lbs of
Hitro Aoetanilid to KLipstein. This correspond* with about 2,600 lbs of Para
so Sat Hase we did not have to supply Klipstoin with Hitro AoetodUd our
production of Para would have been 8,000 lbs. up to the
working day would have meant more than 600 lbs., and per month day about 470 lbs.
I have been very careful from the start, i. e. l8t’
not to promise anything which I did not feel I could do provided, of course,
that no^unforo Been acoldent happened. In spiteefthe ^aploratleaooideut in our
Still roan we have produced, during Juno, 10,796 lbs. of Para, vfliioh,
twenty-two working days, means about 600 lbs. per day.
in ny letter to the Hew Jersey Produots Canpany, dated June 28th,
_ _ T vaa T that I had to aek for a little more
patience regarding the output! and I again, yesterday, told you “^ ^'phone
that we haveevery reason to ba extremely careful so as not to arouse the
Department of Labor by any more accidents.
The necessary steps to increase the production have been taken
and I feel sure that ny program, Shown in my letter of June 28th, can be carried
ttoougi and that at the end of August a production of aboutl.OOO lbs. perwo^ig
day will be reached. It must, however, be taken into consideration ^ that the Hew
Jersey Products Ccnpany again has placed an order for another 10,000 lbs. of Hitr
4i600 lb. of Para, to be delivered during August .It
is self evident that in oounting the production of the Plant per day not only the
Para but also the Hitro Aoetanilid must be taken into aooount.
Production of Para.
fhlB plant, at present and probably for seme time to coos, depends
entirely npon Para from the flnanoial point of view, and It certainly Is Imperative
that we should Increase our production with all possible speed. We would, on the
other hand, not serve our interests, hut mate It far worse than It is at present
if we by pushing blindly ahead, net with more accidents of sane hind, push our
laborers more than at present and bring the Plant to an absolute standstill.
I understand that for more than si* months prior to June 1st, an in-
orease of the production to about 1,000 lbs. per working day was wantdd. I do
not +'»«<'"*• that I should be expeoted to change the Thole Plant from the present
o audition, absolutely unsatisfactory in every respect, in a couple of weeks in
such a way that, under safe conditions, the output be increased 260 %.
I understand, very well, that Mr. Emery, seeing that his calculations
in regard to selling of Phenol being, so far, a o ample te failure, would likB to
throw everything on the Sara, but since no one can be more anxious than I, nyself,
to increase the production, as fast as possible, I would respectfully ask you to
wait until about the end of next month, at which 'time I hope to be in a position
to show results.
FH F
Ur. Emery, For chasing Department,
Qlaolal Aoetlo Aold.
^ <v** <y&°
e had run out of/
On the 17th of July, at nigit, you managed to send us, by truok/^'>
700 Its. of Glacial Aoetio Aoid, hut since that time the supply has ceased
entirely.
As stated in my letter of the 17th, Ur. Dy toman informed me that
a oar of Glacial Aoetlo Aold unfortunately had been blocked up, 1 understand that
this is somewhere near Jersey City, 1 understand, further, that the Purchasing
as well as the Traffic Department hare been busy since almost the 16th of this
month to get this oar to our Division, so far, however, without suooess.
We were Just on the way to get a elicit storage of half finished
products assembled, necessary to keep us going in case sane interruption in one or
another of the operations oo cured. I am sorry to state that up to this moment
we are short 4,000 lbs, of Glacial Aoetio Aoid, whioh we would have consumed,
constituting a loss of production, in Para, of 3*600 lbs, so far,
Althou&i you, no doubt, get the blocked oar of
Glacial Aoetio Aoid to our faotory, I thougit it better to make the present sit¬
uation quite dear to you, and am sending this letter by special messenger.
As stated in my letter of July 19th, we can consume from now until
August 1st, 1,600 lbs. of Glacial Aostlo Aold per day, and should have after
August 1st, if possible, 2,600 lbs. of Glacial Aoetlo Aold per day so as to be on
the safe side with this material.
Any information your Department can give us, by telephone, in re¬
gard to the movements of the oar in question, will be valuable since we have to
arrange, in due time, to get our laborers to the faotory for the night in case
we oan start up the stills again.
Hr, T. A. Edison, Ur. Charles Edison,
4
THOMAS
COAL TAR
A EDISON. INC-
PRODUCTS DlV.
PAHA DBPAliTaSaT
BILYHi HAKE, 11. J. Oct. 1G, 191V.
Purchasing Bepevrtmsnti
Attentions- Kr. A. 0. Emory.
SEEOECTi- SOHPHUHIC AC) ID 98jS MR PAHA.
Referring to our telephone convereation of this morning,
ploano ho informed that the datas on our daily reports of Ootobor 16th and
17th relative to Sulphuric Acid 98^ are stating correotly tho numb or of days
for whloh -so are oovarsd at pro sent. 3a October 16th vie have besides the
amount of 425, 359 mounds, an addition; 4. three oars, v/hioh wa estimated
130,000 pounds oaahj consequently the report said we ora covered for 48 days.
On October 17th we added the contents of the throe cars to
tho prosen t stock and said that with 712,533 pounds via were covered for 47
days. Sou ware not quite aura if you had tho figuros on hand showing tho
consumption of raw aaturiul for Para for tho production of 1,000 pounds por
day. Ploauo lookup your files laid you v/llx find attached to our letter of
dept. 13th a list ffcrr raw material, stating that 16,000 pounds of Sulphuric
Aoid 98jJ ora oonsuinod for a production of 1,000 pounds of Para.
Again uttaohod to our lot tor of Sopt. 21 th, wo liandsd you
another list showing our storing facilities, in whloh you will find tho same
statement, i.o. consumption of 15,000 pounds of Sulphuric aoid 9 <3$ for tho
production of 1,000 pounds of Para.
1 do not quite understand your remark or question us to
reuowad consumption of raw material for tho manufacture of Phonol in 1918,
but ropont horo what 1 said to you ovor the ’paono that, with the decision
about production Of Phonol pending, X am not in ■:< position to stato anything
whatever regarding raw material that might be neoeasary for the .Manufacturing
of Phonol. In faot I have boon under tho impression that during tho con¬
ference in whloh it wao dooidod to shut., tho Phenol Plant down you got the
authority from Hr. Charloo Edison to diapoaa of the remaining raw material.
Consequently I do not know why we should take into consideration now oon-
traots for raw material under the present circumstances covering the pro¬
duction of Phonol.
COAL TAk HXOKCrs BIVJ3I0H,
TH0;JAS A. llDXSCM.IMC.
Para Bopartment^
00 TO MSSUBSt CHA3. EDI80H B.c.'-'AHBEHT (2)
Cn-aA
COAL CAR PRODUCTS DIVISION
Cx-vu °-w^l ^silver Lake, H.J., Oct. 26, 1
a: ) JLw* " <-*■"**—
Regarding the general state of affairs in the Coal lar Proc
o inform you as follows*
The plant has been shut down since October 1st. Most 01 the
remaining stock of raw material has been disposed of, there being on lumd as per
report of October 26th, 20,426 gallons of Benzol} 3,000 lbs. of Vitriol, 1,164,044
lbs. of limestone, 131,625 lbs. of caustic soda and 76,000 lbs. of soda asn.
Besides there are 22,868 lbs. of P. Phenol, the sale of which is covered by contract
^ ' The plant is idle s
” / r ^he niant is idle since practically the first of July, There is
on hand in raw material* as per report of October 26th, 27,000 lbs. of caustic soda,
33,428 lbs.' of magnesium oxide, 407,400 lbs. of sodium chloride, 634,234 lbs. of
oleum 47000 gallons of benzol in tanks and drums and five cars of benzol, Eesides
there are' ^.7,470 lbs. of P. Phenol, the sale of which is secured by contract.
^ Je-iJu- 1-. ■" u • Amidophenoa. Dejoartment^ _
® j The nlant is idle since the first week of October. There is
enough raw material on hand to enable us to start production up again immediately.
There is unfortunately a large stock of Amidophenolhydrochloride-9724-lbs. on hand,
There is unfortunately a large stock of Amidophenolhydrochlori
M ^ ’also 1,026 lbs. of Amidophonolbase. shipments of this product
M Y {completely. I understand that it is impossible at present to
Vv^r $ importance. You will remember that I pointed out repeatedly t
A n( ' AmS&ophenolhydro chloride beooming discolored, which will make
y y //to refine it echo time. May I ask again to instruct the sellir
ri< U / dispose of this product even at a lowe? selling price if at a]
Our production is beine on the increase steadily. Up to the
25th of this month we manufactured 1,840 lbs. more than during the same period in
September, besides some larger production and shipments of Hitroacetanilid.
Our stock of Para on hand as per report of October 26th is 24,165 lbs. I understand
that the decrease of shipments in October is due to normally changing conditions in
this season and that we can look with/confidence ahead, regarding thiB product.
juJU .<*M *•“»- fu-P f*. ■
1 " production ^f_other_oheai2alSj. _
As I informed you briefly these days by telephone, I had a
ferenoe with Mr. Grosvenor in New York and gave him such explanations of our
aratus and machinery, etc. as he needed to complete his layout, \7hat i hear
m him leads me to believe that he shortly will be in a position to submit
orete datas for your decision.
I am most anxious that you may see a way to turn over to me
a new work so that I can better distribute the overhead expenses, which so far
ave cut down aB much as I think it at present wise and adxdeah^f’. //
COAL MR PRODUCTS DIVISION
FINISHED PRODUCT.
- daily report DEPAK™EN- «-
THOMAS A. EDISON. INC.
Date WOT. 7# 1917
MR. THOMAS A. EDISON: ' product on hand this date.
P"=“ — - — — - ~
material
quantity on HAND NUMBER OP DAYS
(JUAN 111 i u SUPPLY ON HAND
Aniline Oil
Acetic Acid (Glacial)
21291
190367
40820
110241
156006
28567
5314
Para Acetyl, dry
finished product.
ACETATE OF SODA
pabapSenylenediamine
CQ4L TA R PRODUCTS DIVISION
Thecas A. Edison, Incorporated.
Silver Lata, H.J., 9* 1917*
Mr. Charles Edison, mTM,t Pr pdas t Ion of g^phenvlenedlamlne.
months shows these figures.
gyjgg*S£ SS.'dSS.r ««• » a92 “• ‘v-
IS'ST.'S.^ SrfSS? “ » 604 "• "r aw-
*he output, therefore, has so far been doubled.
THCMAS A. EJJISOH, IRC.
CO to Messrs T.A.Edison, O.H.Wilson,
S. B. Mamhert and A. C. Emery.
MKjPTR
CQA1 TAR PRODUCTS DIVISION
-Thomas A. Edison, Incorporated.
Silver Lake, N.J., NOV, 9, 191V.
Mr. Charles Edison, Ml & SgagUon of »m1d ophenolhydrochlorlde.
of Amido has teen discontinued aooording to your
instructions. For your inf°™aUon i \»g is^onLrMdT
were proceeding with the production of this material as far as p
14955. B Its. or 98 ltB. per month day.
Total production of Amidophenol
from June to October 31st......
-this record means that with the present facilities we are able to
Crst'flvrmonths has * s o^ f sr ^cSpa d*wi ^“tte^f ive^mraths^pr e vi ous^ £en "creased
160 per cent.
THOMAS A. EDISCH, INC.
COAL TAH PRf(i>TO^DIVISiaH
CC to Messrs T.A.Edison, C.H.Wilson,
S.B.Msmbert and A.C.Emery.
DAILY REPORT PARAPHENYLENEDIAMINE DEPARTMENT
COAL TAR PRODUCTS^DIVISION Shop Order 3000
Date not. IS, 1917
MR. THOMAS A. EDISON: , . . . .
We submit herewith our report of raw material and finished product on hand this date.
Number of day's supply is figured at a production of 1000 lbs. Paraphenylenediamine per day.
QUANTITY ON
41365
20-1/2
Sulphuric Acid 9S«
Mixed Acid
Iron Filings
Sodium Carbonate
Acetic Acid Recovered 6655 4647
Caustic Soda 51000
304097
94021
147006
27700
FINISHED PRODUCT.
iSaPHENYLENEDIAMINE
Total Production this Month
Average Daily Production this Mont
Shipped :
In Stock for Spot Sales
o Stock for Spot Sales
ACETATE OP SODA
PAUAPIIENYLENEDIAJIINE30865
aosiffi 3 CLASSIFIED RSPORT
_Oool jjor Proauqta_Dj.'ri.ol(»._ _
JgsaBJBaa n°g,_iath , to, 24 th .lax?,
Qz
. JaninEtm
. H. I'oDovltt
. lyaalt
. Evans
. l!a thews
. Travers
Division I'anagor
Office Vnmeor
Divlclan EooKtoopor
Assistant Bookkeeper
Cost Cleric - Para
Coot Cleric - Aciilo
Timekeeper
Typist
rate rial Cloric
Clark
BAY RIGHT TOTAL
, pjwmmsmjmtBi . w-sz*..
General Foreman 1 -
Cloric
Aoot. Foroma
Acetanllid
nitration
Reduction
Distillation
Extra Holporo
20EAL .
JL JL -2-
operatihg BEPAirngm;
BAY HiGHT HELPERS TOTAL
Typist
Factory z
Draftsman
Machinist
Pipe fit tors
Lead Burner
Blacksmith
Carpenters
Easons
Catchaon
Gatemen
Toolkoeper
Riggers
3
taiLlLu.
Janitor 1
Yard Laborers 1
Elootrioians _2_ _1_ 1
TOTAL.. , . 37 6 6
MI3CELLAHE0U3 CamECTSD WITH PR.jIXJCTI
Horoo £ Wagon
Automobile
Toilets and
Lunch Assistant
Laboratory
Shipping Cloric
Store Xccporo
Transportation
TOTAL . .
jwm? st asL
OFFICE
OHEHATIHO
AlflDOPHEHOL
IBEHOL - V7ATCHEAE
CARBOLIC ACID DEPACTUKUT .
PARA fflEHYLEBEDIAIHHE
- 3 C QH1EECTKD • W1 Hi FRQDOCTIOO
TOTAL
me
FLOYEES CLASSIFIED REPORT
Coal Tar Products Division.
Week fran Nov. 25th to Deo, let. 1917,
GRAND SUMMARY
OFFICE 10
OPERATING 32
CARBOLIC ACID DEPARTMENT 8
PARAPHENILENEDIAMINE 40
MISCELLANEOUS CONNECTED WITH
PRODUCTION 26
TOTAL . 116
0
§1
vvw
Special Collections Series -- Chemical Production Records
Organic Chemical Plant Records
Phenol Division (1915-1916)
These documents relate to the operations of Phenol Plant No. 2, owned
by Thomas A. Edison, Personal, which began producing phenol (or carbolic
acid) during the summer of 1915. Among the selected items are several daily
production reports signed by division manager Edgar S. Opdyke, bearing
comments by Edison. There is also a communication from Opdyke's
successor, Wilfred S. Dowling, regarding an explosion in June 1916 that
injured three employees and destroyed part of the building. Other
correspondents include Edison employees Charles T. Dally and William H.
Mason.
Less than 5 percent of the documents have been selected. The
unselected material consists primarily of financial and accounting documents
and numerous routine daily production reports.
PHENOL DIVISION
THOMAS A. EDISON
Neutralizing, Settling, Storage, Re-treating
Pot NO. _ - Silver Lake, N. J.
-191.: •'f
///■'
y//Z
V" )
f
///•r \
)
4*7
. j//S 1
r> y?
qJ-
/// MaX
'7*
~ tf'i*
y/s<Sc
Sbujex**
i
PHENOL C. SION
THOMAS A. EDISON
Neutralizing, Settling, Storage, Re-treating
Silver Lake,
N. J., — / -
f/r
*7
//f
✓3/
fZZ
rzd
/-z*
Commo" Chnmb.r Su.phurio
Crurdd0Uph0°nn0.
/2o
La TAtrtEIX'f'
//•r *
yzr -
/^7 *
J'plSt*' * — Q
c-v-xZy L*r*s~j y~ G<s^y—
^ *-tsh»b y£n'lJr'
/z? ',
t^Juyir ^
s ,/> sy.<
PHENOL DIVISION
THOMAS A. EDISON
jo toJL JUx-O^ /Qsut
CLaRaa-^. |vi« 1-M.c^ttM 11 "
(fj!A eJe^uyt* Cl^. -QAJtJL/.
*7*0?*
" '3?&7 '
7Z.Z %
• ^
PHENOL DIVISION
THOMAS A. EDISON
Neutralizing, Settling, Storage, Re-treating
_ f Silver Lake, N.
Jt
PHENOL DIVISION
THOMAS A. EDISON
Silver Lake, N. J.
Mr. W. H. Meadoworoft,
Laboratory.
Dear Mr. Meadoworoft;-
x h„. « .0- .t » «.* « »»*• - «- “** - “• “*Ml«
rather ehort on some materiale.
OLEUM - Stock on hand April 5th, 18002 gallons; we are trying to average 6
eulphonations daily'' 1278, gallons; this would give a stock on hand of 14 days.
!f we only average 5 eulphonations daily, 1065 gallons,^ have 17 days supply.
I understand we ,re receiving on contract 150 tons per month, 300000 lb. -
10750 gallons; this is only half the amount we use, assuming 6 eulphonations por
day. Therefore, if we can average 6 eulphonations, we will be out of Oleum
in 28 days; and if we only average 5 eulphonations, we will he out in about 34 day
88HEEL SALT - Vie have on hand about 57200#; our average daily consmaption
for past ten days has been 1758 lbs; therefore, at present rate of consumption,
we will be out of Soheel 8alt in about 32 days.
yours truly.
PHENOL DIVISION
THOMAS A. EDISON
Silver Lake, N. J. Juno 9, 1916.
Ur. Thomas A. Edison,
Laboratory.
Doar Sirs-
As X personally told you on Juno 7th, in tho early morning of
that day an explosion occurred at the plant here, duo, I believe, to over-
sulphonating of Benzol, causing the Bonzol-Sulphonic Acid to overflow tho
pot, and the Benzol fumes to become ignited by a spark from the motor.
Tho explosion carried away a part of the building, and caused injury to
three employees, for all of whom I did arrange proper modical care, and
whom I have since eeen, and who expect to recover from their burns within
a very short time.
The building has been repaired, the machinery is in operation
and the work is going on as usual.
Our experience, I beliove, has taught us to be sufficiently cau¬
tious to prevent a repititiori of so disastrous an occurrence.
„ i y «-]
AVVV
1
Special Collections Series -- Chemical Production Records
Organic Chemical Plant Records
Johnstown Benzol Plant (1915-1918)
These documents relate to the benzol absorption plant built by Edison
at the works of the Cambria Steel Co. in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The
selected items pertain to design and operation issues in which Edison took a
direct interest. Included are documents relating to the sale of toluol to the
British Chemical Co. of Canada for the manufacture of trinitrotoluene (TNT)
and the closure and dismantling of the plant in 1918 at the conclusion of
Edison's agreement with the Cambria Steel Co. Also included are daily
production reports prepared by plant manager John Bacon, Jr., bearing
comments by Edison, along with communications from William H.
Meadowcroft, who managed Edison's chemical business. Other
correspondents include engineer William H. Mason, who oversaw the
construction of the plant, and John T. McDermott of the Efficiency Service
Dept.
Approximately 5 percent of the documents have been selected,
including all substantive items relating to Edison's interests or involvement in
the Johnstown plant. The unselected material includes correspondence
regarding production, shipping, and repair; numerous additional daily reports,
some of which contain marginalia similar to that on the selected items; and a
variety of financial and technical documents.
t)aily Report T. A. Edison Benzol Plant
\ Johnstown, Pa.
iMMcau
3!
- - — A L, */ J ttn •>/* <S-$
f'(i T^tny
_ u$t> <5
^k.a~-crr- tts4^»
Ur. John Baoon, Jr., "1
fa Coho Ovon Department, ; I
Cambria Stool Company,
Johnstown, Pa. . 1
Dear Sir: !
I am writing yon again in regard to^your 1 . '
from tho reports just what wo want to know in order to figure on the a
tual results of. tho operation of the plant.
Of course , wo realize that the difficulty ■a“"8 '
increased booause of th °t ^this ^ ?It lontly ^Bee if wo cannot work
we are to got it.
If we wore dealing with the manufacture of so much ordinary mer-
should oqual what w a started the day with.
llow it seems to mo that the operation of a Benzol plant should
on the reports of succeeding days, hut never could do it. -or lnswnco.
day. i i
I return horoulth your report of July End for ^tetration. 1?
omitted to ooy SoeSYoXII t>S “|u»e.'|
PBTSiAfto “SS .i'th. loot of to. top^t “ ",“tl
day you had on hand and "made" a grand total of 21,116 gallons. : .|
If this system of reporting is correct your report of the nox£ ||
day would show a grand total whioh would he equal to the total of the day
hefore^as inoreasfd hy the nnmhor of gallons of Light Oil obtained on the
day the report is made. Your figures of material in Stills, on hand Crude, Jj
Pago two-
on hand washed, and on hand Pure might have changod, hut the grand total
each day should balance with the grand total of the day before after add¬
ing tho day's production of light Oil. Of course, your shipments from
tlmo to timo should be deducted, thus malting tho grand total a net total.
1 know that you will hav ■> thought of before you arrive at this
part of my letter. You will say to yourself: "Mr. Moadowcroft ha3 not
thought of tho losses". I havo thought of this, however, and left It
until I oxplainod my Idea of the principle of reporting. Tho losses what¬
ever they may bo, are the things that Mr. Edison Is veiy desirous of ascer¬
taining, and at thiB moment we do not soo any more conveniont way of get¬
ting at tho facts.
If you will please make thoBe reports a vory serious business
and take pains to have thorn really accurate you will very iuickly find
out whor ■ your losses are, and by constant observation we shall soon be
able to got a lino on them and perhaps make some improvements.
I assume that, of course, you keop copies of your daily reports.
If you will got out tho coplo3 of your reports of Juno 30. and July 1, you
will aoo why Mr. Edison and I find It impossible to reconcile the daily
reports with oaoh other. If you will figure out tho total gallonage of
each day you will soo that those reports do not correspond with each other.
Thore is a big disorepancy. Besides, thoro is a sudden appearance of
2,678 gallons of Pure Toluol .on July 1, which you could scarcely hava made
in on; day. I have not overlooked tho 3,600 gallons Commercial Toluol
roportod Juno 30.
So, you soo, wa really ought to try and get things straightened
out. Porhaps you may havo to take account of stock to hogin the new re¬
ports with .
An illustration will make it moro clear what I have in mind. I {
have jnot reooivad your reports of July 3 and 4. The total gallonage July
3 was 21,531 gallons, an incroaso ovor July 2 of only 416 gallons, al- '
though you nada 1189 gallons of light Oil. Tho report of Jnly 4 shows a '
total gallonage of 21,621- gallons before deducting your shipnnnt of 2,867
gallons. This shows an increase of only 90 gallons ovor July 3, although
you mado 1,340 gallons of light Oil.
Will you please tako up this matter immediately and lot mo hear
from you. I oxpoot to leave on Saturday night for a vaoation and want to
aoo that yon understand before I loave.
Yours very truly,
(signed) IVm. H. Headowerof t .
Assistant to Ur. Edison.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
\i)aily Report T. A. Edison r Benzol Plant
\ • Johnstown, Pa.
Date ^ - 191 3> ,
-
MADE TO-DAY ' ON HAND CRUDE
ON HAND WASHED
ON HAND PURE j
SHIPPED
Light Oil Q %
No. 1 Badger
in stiii £t^ar
r —
Heads
90% Benzol
3 7J“
7 a f
90% Toluol
z S-o
..
Sol. Naphtha
. '• : X 4
■y_3 8 4
/3 8 2-_ _
i
. zJ3.iT. 7—
2-7-6 >
!
Badger Still
i No. 2
No. 3 ■
InStill /7<C 7-
jre Benzol
—3-0 S4
Pure Toluol
_ .T6-0 _
Com. Toluol
,HO
-
3-317 _
Pare Sol. Naphtha
-73 2.-
- ,
et-cts . ciay . WL. /O .o 4-
„ £ . /9)/’30a_ W. .
9&?
_
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/Ul‘ d,..^ U
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. 7 S~ 4-o
An, ‘il/CxA&A*J(
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olru-i n w ( y4.£c c<-a-c. <J iccjt t'Cct\c J'S'
Hiem A_. £ cti-i] -tryi $-C,t,iQo-£ nt tf,
icttccCy-cec S-J<.cj6. £», ^ crJict^ / t-ttnt- , &a
hcet, in.ce, O ^C-itnet . A?. J£ .
3 Axj*,v Jo /*U /f,ct{
tULC-Ci fa 42-tcc^ (&CUQc>-€
’fi'U~vX/X, 7l^ c^i u-<, CCc- <Lccb CU& KJc^Se) ^
fy-Cce-c* ^>u- m^c-tcc. 6 tS-yUt-L^
M. i}. Jl'U-CCCy <v/
tlcii) Jlc. ccct-CC ,wn-cJc. /)\A Cftence-H^ ^
^crCcct* Jerurw ,
fy 'J\l‘‘L(jCa.t)-c-t-H CciTy^
Daily Report T. A. Edison Benzol Plant
Johnstown, Pa.
- 1®* **
1/
HADE TO-DAY ]
ON HAND CRUDE
ON HAND WASHED
ON HAND PURE |
SHIPPED
Light Oil /-// %
-
-\-M •
_ \
No. 1 Badger
—
-
’ ~ 90% Benzol
_
■j-jsK
—
— -
90% Toluol
Sol. Naphtha
t/)0
_ %9-bf -
_ £JLL — |
~2yJJkdf> —
lls-l 1
_ . —
- -
Badger Still
No. 2 1
No. 3
:_J - -
- in still 2$ktr&u xy L.e _
Heads
—
— =
- -
Com. Benzol
Pure Toluol
—
Lf£>¥‘i
ii<sf
- 7 -
Com. Toluol
Pure Sol. Naphtha
/b 'O
2JL-
-
_
fX-O^
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
c U+&XAJL- f€ui* Cjo-O Cj. CX.
<£o&>e+sU' &ct2> ,
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£jo& ^Ct££<rv+*4 ^ <*t/
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/yiHOL^tKArot^O^^
Daily Report T. A. Edison Benzol Plant
Johnstown, Pa.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
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Daily Report T. A. Edison Benzol Plant
, Johnstown, Pa.
0ate_^^y - V
. 191 d
MADE
0.DAV
ON HAND CRUDE
ON HAND WASHED
Light ou_ . ■
.. .//. 8 3
oTd. 3
No. 1 Badger
In Still 7.6.8''
Heads
90% Benzol..
/ 2 z .3 ?.
9 6 s ?
90% Toluol
.... . . .
\5 J-a .
/ 9 3 3
79'?
Sol. Naphtha
z
r-o
z 9 S' i
2 j-.y 7
Badger Still
No. 2
No. 3
' a y 2 ^
In Still ,r 1 fi-L “ ^3
Heads . _ .
Com. Benzol
Pure Toluol
/ / 2. i~
Com. Toluol .
Pure Sol. Naphtha _
_
_ _
y 6 or
) £ £
2. z y 4 o.
. <j _ _Zo / .2- <5— _
f° _ _ _
_ _ _ 7^6— 8 -
tfu^llLdy 2. O.
_ \_y__ _ .^>70 . . . / /, _
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^ J~o* o n?
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erCcte^- cXj/ OxJ-
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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
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Daily Report T. A. Edison Benzol Plant
Johnstown, Pa.
^4,, 'yo . i9i L
^ ~T
MADE TO-DAY |
ON HAND CEUDE 1 OK UAND WASHED j
ON HAND FURE
SHIPPED
/ 3 0 C/
<£ / 9L
■ . ;
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No. 2
No. 3
/
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ln Still $ ?>S-/ '“•A
7/33 3 _
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Com. Iienzol ___ _
y/y
2 3
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.... /?A7.
■■---. -
~
. =- / ir- . . yM<.dt. / .. - . ' ?
_
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
q£<^dP
Daily Report T. A. Edison Benzol Plant
Johnstown, Pa.
MADE TO-DAY T
ON HAND CRUDE
ON HAND WASHED
ON HAND PURE _*T
SHIPPED
- T~
J 3
77H
Light _Oil _ #_/ j*. -
In Still / 7 .A. .S' -
- -
■" '
.
.T 0
./U57 6.-Q—8—
90% Toluol _ _
i (T
/ <f jTA
^ y -3 f
$ So 6
Z Jr V 2-
porter Still x
No. 2
_ 1
No. 3
In Still _
7^£
. .
p |,.n,nl
'
- V
ft y o O
i
Benzol
// .S-.oJ
1-
:*
°m'
\
. —
_ / / 3 ro
Pure_Toluol
\*
^ ,? .
Com. Tojuol
r , ^•V,
_ Z— -
. **T
. V V V f
_Pure.Sol._Naphth:i - „
5 A 6
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", — ^ ^ -, <^<£4- ^~cJL- S-
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T. A. EDISON
BENZOL PLANT
Johnstown.
<~tZUlu!> - <-**y
(
[INCOMPLETE]
Deo. 22, 1917
Unltod States Ordnance Dept.,
Chemical Blame Projection Div.,
Room 630, 1800 Virginia Ave.,
Washington, D. C.
Attention Ur C tv Hunter
Qentlaneni-
Hef erring to your reoent conversation with Hr. Chas.
Edison in Washington, D. C. and telephone conversation with the
writer today with reference to the Edison Benaol riant at
Johnstown, Pa. which is operated from the gases furnished by the
Cambria Steel Company.
“„T«:.rs stslsss rs ss
obligated to remove the plant from their premises.
She Plant in question costs $70,369.46, all In aooorianoe
eJoed an avorege of 20^ during the throo yoars operation. Wo
notified by lie Ccmbria Stool Company that they do not dosire to
oxpootod to remove oamo from tholr promises.
^ ..skctss: a-’issSSAr*
price of $1.50 per gallon.
December 26, 1917.
M r. John Bacon,
c/o Cambria Steel Co.,
Johnstown, Da.
liy dear "r. Bacon:
1 have delayed writing yon inasmuch as I wanted to find
out what the Cambria people expected to do with our plant. It is
still impossible to know what they will do. Vo ease your mind in
regard to your personal future, should the Cambria people elect
to have us dismantle the plant, wo trust that you will stay to
take charge of this work. Should they elect to purchase tte plant
and not retain you as Manager, or should you not care to remain
tith them, we will give you two month3 pay. It is my hope however,
that we will be able to place you in some position satisfactory to
you in one of the Edison interests. However, by the suggested
plan, you will have two months to find other employment should we
be unable to place you here.
I would like to be definitely advised by return mail if
possible, whether the Cambria company are definitely building a
new Benzol plant to take care of their excess gases, or whether
they are planning to use their present plant and merely enlarge
it, or whether they do not expect to make use of their total
gas production. If they are building an entirely new plant, please
try and get some information as to when this plant will be in
operation.
Yours faithfully ,
12
NEW JERSEY PRODUCTS, Incorporated
165 Broadway
New York
Edieon Benzol Plant, Johnstown Memorandum No. 269
Plant dismantling Date April 9, 1918
To
Mr. E. J. George,
Edison Benzol Plant,
Cambria Steel Co.,
Johnstown Pa.
Function
Subject
Dear Mr. George :-
On my return I duly find your letter of April 3rd and note
your advice that you have shipped four loaded cars to Silver Lake. I
presume these are the cars referred to in your several advicos, to wit:
April 1st LV car 65642 containing 38 drums of benzol
" 2nd CB&Q car 112806 containing 44 drums xylol and
3 drums benzol
March 29th, PI car 526422 containing 24 drums benzol and
14 drums xylol
Please tell mo what the fourth car contained, number, etc.
I note regarding the leak in one drum and that it will go
forward later.
I suppose the release of the equipment of the Cambria Steel
Company will make it possible to ship the pumps and other equipment to
the Woodward Company without delay. Please hurry this all possible.
Regarding the rectifying column. Please get the boot offer
which you can from the local scrap dealers in connection with those
copper stills; also the same applies to any other scrap which you have
for sale. After you have received their quotations, forward them to
mo for comparisons here as it may bo be3t, as you suggest, to load one
complete scrap car.
Please arrange to ship the assortment of pipe fittings to
Thomas A. Edison, Inc. CAM Div., Orange, H. J. This will include the
large as well as the small fittings. Please send me a list of these
fittings as promptly as possible.
I think the stills should be taken down carefully, contemplating
that they may be used again although the probabilities are that they will
have to be scrapped.
It is now my understanding that you have shipped all of the
finished stock and that you still have on hand to ship the following:
15 drums crude 90/J benzol
8 " " toluol
1 drum C. P. Benzol
load this material and send same forward to Silver Lake as promptly as
possible, advising.
Yours very truly
NEW JERSEY PRODUCTS INC .
2808-1M118
Special Collections Series -- Chemical Production Records
Organic Chemical Plant Records
Woodward Benzol Plant (1915-1918, 1920)
These documents relate to the benzol absorption plant built by Edison
at the works of the Woodward Iron Co. in Woodward, Alabama. The plant,
which was jointly owned by Edison and the Japanese firm of Mitsui & Co.,
produced benzol, toluol, solvent naphtha, and naphthaline. The
correspondents include engineer William H. Mason, who oversaw the
construction of the plant; plant manager Claude H. Opdyke; and Mitsui
executive Shunzo Takaki. Also included are communications involving
Edison's son Charles, his personal business secretary Richard W. Kellow,
and his personal assistant William H. Meadowcroft, who managed the
inventor's chemical business.
Included are items pertaining to the shipment of chemicals to fulfill
contracts with customers such as the Hercules Powder Co.; the transfer of
chemical sales from Edison's personal office to Frederick D. Lockwood of
Thomas A. Edison, Inc., in November 1916 and subsequently to Archibald
C. Emery of New Jersey Products, Inc.; and the takeover of the plant in March
1918 by the Woodward Iron Co., according to Edison's original agreement
with them. Other selected documents include daily reports from the beginning
of production in the summer of 1915, bearing comments by Edison and
Meadowcroft, as well as periodic financial statements showing Edison's and
Mitsui's share of the profits in their joint venture.
Approximately 5 percent of the documents have been selected,
including all substantive items relating to Edison's interests or involvement in
the Woodward plant. The unselected material includes routine
correspondence regarding shipping, routing, billing, accounting, drum return,
and technical operations. Also not selected are rough financial notes,
insurance statements, most daily production reports, production log books,
and routine shipping papers.
THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY
25,000 OFFICES IN AMERICA. CABLE MRWCE T°
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Daily Report T. A. Edison Benzol Plant
Woodward, Ala.
Daily Report T. A. Edison Benzol Plant
Woodward, Ala.
MADE TO.DAY
ON HAND CRUDE
ON HAND WASUED
' - - «
ON HAND PURE
SHIPPED
Light OU %
/ /. 0-.d
to 29 /_
No. 1 Badger
In stm
Heads
•2. 3 a 0.
/ 3 OO
90% Benzol
1
?> A' o. /)
90% Toluol
Sol. Naphtha ^
/ 'i o />
U n cs
*/ r> /> s\
Badger Still
No. S
No. 3
In StiU
Tr~Q -
C-- T
Heads
U 2-rt
. .re Benzol
/an
Com. Benzol
U /) a
L 700...
Pure Toluol
Com. Toluol '
_ So
Pure Sol. Naphtha
- cb-csittsis .0 C
$<c£$ r/Z^t ) 'VU) 'ZsJ-£QU-) -
d£t- /Ojci^viii^o nn^-^a^—.c£c~t<ttia< - - - - -
c jAcwruc*.
r/J$<§efo vn/,
yy A/If
/A/K/ty/f f '-/A July 12 th. 1915.
Mr. Claude Opdyke,
°/o Edison Benzol Plant,
Woodward Iron Company,
Woodward, Ala.
Dear Sir:
Aa Bonn a8 you refine some Solvent
Naphtha pleaae ahip one drum here to the Lab¬
oratory, and he aure to mark it Solvent Naph¬
tha. Pleaae addreBa it to Thomas A. Edison,
and not to the Incorporated. Mr. Ediaon aayB
to he oareful that it ia water white .
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Mr. Ediaon. /Jw
4U$
Dictated hut
not read hy
Mr. Meadov/croft .
Daily Report T. A. Edison Benzol Plant
Woodward, Ala.
Date — L4:
_ 1915
HADE TO-DAY j
ON HAND CRUDE
ON HAND WASHED
ON HAND PURE
SHIPPED
1 * *7 (k !
10 0.02
I?nn
50 76
1SOO
\ l fc>7
47f,5
TSO_
_
C* oO
'4op
■2. 2.0 O
Sol. Naphtha
\ 4oO
700
_ _
-.-. .
Badger Still
No. 2
No. 3
In Still
~v? B
“v7 a
Heads
100
Com. Benzol
-7Z7
•277 7
.
Pure Toluol
1 o 2.0 _
_ _
Pure Sol. Naphtha
■ ^ a -1 a (5a /C-8. <)J^
£
T7 'hrr
~ 1 •* &*> l 3*XftS ^.,/vyJeioL — |=u^s. \A^<A -
_ J^J5^A&tUS=5^ - -^LOt^QA/S. - ^Ln..UH\ - ‘ 7V ft ~~
la/l^cc -• fiV./gjr 3_0_cc - sldL&OJOO- . .?7 JT
7f »‘<tioec aa.i-jfrjgLoe^ »fl.3 itL6 — leLd-H cc.
gft 3lT o cc _ ^Xai— sr^-C-C--frj£&^^..|°iX<^cl>!> c.L_
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Daily Report T. A. Edison Benzol Plant
Woodward, Ala.
_ y — ^ -
MADE TO-DAY ' ON UAND CRUDE | ON HAND WASHED |
ON HAND PURE
SHIPPED
Light Oil 4 _
6S5 _ l
552^-
_
. .
~ U., © i
.<=: ^ •? Pa
Heads
~2- o O _
-5 ? ?>4
isoo
3 La© _
\ 4 o o
^2 00-
_
i
1 o_o_
_ _
1,, ft . m
Badger Still
No. 3 1
In Still
^e:
549-0-
w.(5
_m5A_
- 1 -
Heads
—
_ LLoO-^
Com. Benzol
l©C>
Pure Toluol
l O-TeJS
— 1 . -
—
Com. Toluol
Pure Sol. Naphtha _
— —
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Oidow, - -
< Cjlft U-VA
^Kive c<b) & tAi-( (xvu^ i ‘t^J1 1 otr~
Q&st i drCL^j
- July -19 th, - 5£*
». «*- *• — • £5 1/!,l*r" ^
Or„g., .» «~7.
Dear Sir: — |lt£; L-' j
Attention tfJtejJTjJj “|*JS°Bttii of Jnne 4 th In .hloh no ul you
to forward sample of eaoh shipment of Toluol under our contract with
The Hercules Powder Company, we are now in receipt of a letter from
them requesting us to number these samples as follows .before sending
them to Eastern Laboratory of the E. I duPont deNemours Powder Co.,
C/^£^. <?«-. *0 Arpu&/ . „MITSUI SAMPLE Ho.in
the next number two, etc.
We would request that you kindly instruct your people down
in Alabama to comply with this request. Thanking youin advance for
your prompt attention to this matter.
Daily Report T. A. Edison Benzol Plant
Woodward, Ala.
1-491 t>
MADE TO-DAY
ON HAND CRUDE
ON HAND WASHED
ON UAND PURE
SHIPPED
Light Oil 9Z/ %
/i'27!
£ 2- dd
- -0-91 -
No. 1 Badger
In Still
r? 6> 0 0
Heads
/ 5 QJ1-
90% Benzol
_
7-4>S-
Sol. Naphtha
- mrj
_ ZZ.o.d.
"7 dd
— . — ----- —
Badger Still
Ijlo.,2
No. 3
/ ~C& / 0
Cj i b s
In Still
/ /„ /) r
// /;/>
Heads
ire Benzol
jOd
Com. Benzol
4Z7 Q-Q-
Pure Toluol
_J_<? 2._dL
Com. Toluol
ZSoo
1x00
Pure Sol. Naphtha
2- 8* *4
ir^M-
53:
1 80 c
JM-
SSv 7
~r({ $
- jrt^r-
NIGHT LETTER
THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY
25,000 OFFICES IN AMERICA CABLE SERVICE TO ALL THE WORLD
YY' ecu/ H&iAJ/ktCj
/3-thnA fdz-ii/b
(y<? (.U,d . yfa&yiA4s*-JZ. TCkjj [^L€4^^
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■^=W£-} Imdf^uoC, '
DAY LETTER tw-r
THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY
Orange N J Oct 1 1915 "
■msm nmms
Care Woodward. Iron, Woodward Ala
i get some sublimed napthaline up here t
possible how much have you and how quick
l you ship Answer quick.
Thos A Edison.
&/wm,aJ c ~
(&tonyei'yl& oet. 12th. 1915.
Ur. Claude H. Opdyke ,
?? Edison Benzol Plant,
Woodward iron Company,
Woodward, Ala.
Dear Ur . Op dyke :
On reoeipt of this letter will
you kindly begin to send to Ur. Shunzo Takaki,
% Mitsui & Company, limited, 25 Madison Avenue,
New York City, a copy of each of the daily re¬
ports that you send to Mr. Edison. Of course,
you wiil Bend us our copy as usual.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Mr, Edison.
$& "fa 4#9
-Ca-t-K fiyc. fCe.
<£aU* jLcJ- t facro . H-a ,
fYJhr yi •.
Mr. Opdyke,
ThomaB A. Edison Benzol Plant,
Woodflfard, Ala.
Dear Sir:-*
I am In receipt of four copies of your daily
report dated October 31st to November 3rd, in which I
found that there has been no increase in the quantity
of pure Toluol in these four days, but only an increase
of 900 gallons of stock of Crude Toluol,
1 became worried, and sent you a telegram direct
and asked you if you were sure of sending a second tank
oar on the first of December. There is a big possibility
of the Heroules People suing us for the shortage of toluol
and if they do so we shall suffer from considerable loss
instead of making any profit on the whole plant.
We request you to bear this in your mind, and
make Toluol as fast as you possible can.
No doubt you will hear from Mr. Edison to the
same effect.
Thanking you in advanoe for your close attention
to this matter, and with regards.
ST :VC
C. H. Opd.-ko,
fc i.oodv.ard Iron Co.,
Vioodv/ard , Ala.
'i,o want one carload of pood
American Oil U Supply Coni'Ci
urrivod, but if carload is i
limor chip at onco.
white naphthaline shipped ti
iy. Your sampler, havo not
j.s pood as made in small ouh
v.. u. uesoxi.
WSSSSfBf^S^aam,
2,'Jy//u/f^w/- q//v:/h*v
February 34. _ /9/.
Tiros. A. Edison, Esq.,
Orange, N. J.
Dear Sir:-
Attention of Messrs. W. H. Keadowcroft and
F. H. Mllle77
We take the pleasure in enclosing herewith statement
of aooount of Woodward Plant up to the end of 1915 which needs
a little explanation.
1.- According to our original agreement, Mitsui & Co. are en¬
titled to recover 40^ of the construction expenses, and there¬
fore for Bix months (July 1915 to December 1916 J we deducted
30£ which is $13,860.93.
3.- Running expenses are as per the expenses which we paid ac¬
cording to your statements.
3. - Miscellaneous expense covers all the incidental expenses
. such as small commissions paid to Col. Davis and his friend,
cost of drums, freight thereof, etc.
4. - We only shipped two tank cars of C.P. Toluol for which we
had to pay commission to Dr. Stillwell and Takamine Laboratory
(13£ per gallon.).
5. - Benzol.- The total amount of the payment whloh you made us
before December 31, 1915 amounted to $41,056.71, but the plant
- 2
shipped in addition to the above, a large quantity of Benzol
for which you made ue the payment of $30,502.94 early in
January, and for the sake of convenience we credited the same
in this statement and will not have this income in the next
statement .
6. - We agreed to sell you pure Benzol which went into the
manufacturing of Phenol under our first contract, alliance
of 30 £ per gallon, and therefore this item amounting to
$5,419.80 was debited in this statement.
7. - On the same Phenol contract our Mr. Takakl verbally agreed
with you that he will see that Woodward Plant will get $1.00
for each gallon of Benzol which went into the making of Phenol
under the said contract, and this rebate amounted to $16,359.40
on the 31st of December 1915 and therefore we credited this sum
in this statement. o
8. - We received from you for napthaline the sum of $91.73 in
1915, but you shipped a great deal more in December 1915 for
which you paid us $2,761.67 in January 1916 which we credited
in this statement for the sake of convenience.
9. - Solvent Naptha. We credited the amount received in December
1915 in this statement.
Summarizing this aocount, we are pleased to say that
we are ready to send you a check for $28,931.96 which will be
a clean profit for your share. Of course we want to recover
our construction expenses as fast as possible, but we refrain
from asking you to do so because our original agreement called
for 40fo during the first year. In a few words, this statement
means that we just recovered the entire cost of the construction
a„d paid off all ta. -P— « « *“ “a «' l9U' “4
„« profit to ».« «U >» «* “* *nd
already .old all ta. prodaot. «P to ta. «»* »* ««> “
to b. »Ug al.og.taat at «... *300.000. aat profit to a. dlrtd.d
equally •
.. than, you fot tha opportimlty you gat. «• l” “k1”8
tai. ,10. profit aM ask y.a to aaar «. •«•« « *»* -‘»a «"»
you get something new and good.
Kindly instruct your Mr. Miller to notify us if he is
ready to receive our check.
With kindest regards.
Very truly yours,
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
3,761.67
<S$ (Qcfcdjrii
March. 29th. 1916.
Mr. Claude H. Op dyke, -
$ Woodward Iron Company, _ ..
Woodward, Ala.
Dear Mr . Opdyke :
As you are aware, we have sold all our naphthaline Flakes thus
far to the American Oil & Supply Company. I am not sure whether I have
sent you the latest list of these sales, but in order to be certain will
send it now. Here it is up to date:
March 10th
" 2b th
April 10th
" 26th.
May. delivery a:
- 9lW
-
• The American Oil & Supply Company wanted us to Bell a second
bar in May, but Mr. Edison was not sure whether ;we could make it Buffi-
oiently fast enough when the warm weather sets in, and did not contract
for the seoond oar hut promised to let them have it if we made it,
trice 11 3/4^. - .) ;
For your 'information I want to repeat the. shipping instructions
we have received from the American Oil & Supply Company. In another jr
letter I am giving you very elaborate shipping instructions from them
for the f irst April shipment . Ab to the second .April shipment and the
May shipment, they say that it is to be consigned to the American Qil&
Supply Company at- Hew York, provided the railroadB will take it for Hew
York delivery, and if not, to be consigned to them at Hewark. They say
that whether the shipments are consigned to then) at Hew York or Hewark,
the bill of lading should be marked "Hotify American Oil & Supply Co.
at Hewark".
Jr Yours very truly, ,
Mr. Claude H. Opdyke,
$ The Edison Benzol Plant,
Woodward Iron Company,
Woodward, Ala.
Dear Mr. Opdyke:
Will you kindly se®Me a statement showing how
many gallons you have shipped!^ Benzol, Toluol and Sol-
vnnt Naphtha: since the plant? started up to the date of your
last shipment. All I want Is the grand total of each one,
nothing in detail. Please also state the date of the first
shipment and of the last shipment- If possible I would like
to have you get this off to me by the end of the week. Mr.
Edison wantB these figures.
Yours very truly.
Please also give me the same information. for Sublimed
Naphthaline J
A0q
August 17th, y&/ 6.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Edison Laboratory,
Orange, N. J.
Attention of Mr. W. H. Meaflowcrof t .
Dear Sir:
I take pleasure in enclosing herein statement of
account of the Woodward Plant for the period of January 1, 1916,
to June 30th, 1916, whioh shows a gross profit of $120,426.76
from whioh I have deducted 20$ of the construction expense,
which will leave a net profit of $106,565.83. I also enclose
our oheok for $53,282.92, which is your half of the net profit.
There is nothing to explain exoept a small item
which is a miscellaneous expense for $2750. This sum I have
spent in order to settle troubles with the Hercules Powder Co.
and includes the renumeration which we paid to Mr. H. B. Mingle
our lawyer. I really believe that the amioable settlement with
the Hercules Powder Company on the Toluol contract was absol¬
utely due to Mr. Mingle* s efforts. I paid him $2500, and I
wish you would have no objection of the same.
Just for your reference, I might mention
that in the six months, each of us made a net profit of
§35,101.46, and therefore at the end of the twelve months,
it means that we have made approximately §88,400, and we
ought to make a net profit of §60,000 for the six months
ending in December 1916.
Trusting that this statement is satisfactory
to you, and with kind personal regards.
Yours very truly.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
h
\
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT
W ’ . OF
Woodward Plant During the Period of January 1, 1916
to June 30th, 1916.
Running Expenao during the period ' ;
Miacellaneoue Expenae
Net Prooeeda from the Sale of ProduotB
Toluol.-
(74, 525,81 **
3,750. V
■> {53,443.79 - '
Leea Comm. ° 3.944.38
Benzol."
^(50,499.41
Allowance of 30£ per gallon on
Benzol uaed for manufacturing
Phenol ahipped to Japan
Rehate from Miteui & Co. Ltd. on
Firat Phenol Contraot to make
price of Benzol (1.00 per Gal. Sy-
Naphthaline. , ^ t
Solvent Naphtha g ,s. -_'l
Groaa Profit
1360,980.77 300,980.77
130,436.76
13,860.93
Net Profit during the aeaaon ----------- 106,565.83
1/3 Profit Due You §53, 383.93 ^
Redemption of 30& of Construct¬
ion Expenae (69,304.65
<S$ (ge//js.
Mr. C. H. Opdyke,
% Woodward. Iron Company,
Woodward, Ala.
i September 7th. 1916.
The price of Naphthaline haB been falling pretty steadily
and the market is very weak, in fact a few days ago there was prime
Naphthaline offered at 7 4 with no takers. In view of this it is nec¬
essary for us to figure pretty closely on our costs of production so
we will know just where we stand and what price we can afford to sell.
I wish you would go over this matter and give me as close an estimate
as .possible on the cost of making your pure white, double sublimed
Naphthaline loaded in barrels on the cars, per pound. In doing this
I think it advisable to discuss the matter with the Woodward people
as we feel inclined if possible to do so, to close a contraot for
some sir months or a year if possible at a point somewhat below the
market if necessary, so that we can feel^assured of our shipments from
this time on. We gOiso want to know what^you estimate you can turn out
of the white, double sublimed material.
Of course, this Naphthaline practically ooBts us nothing
except the subliming charges and what we pay the Woodward Company.
I would like you to give me this information as soon as possible.
Yours very truly.
Mr. Claude Opdyke,
e /o Woodward lion Co.,
Y/oodward, Ala.
My dear Mr. Opdyke:
I suppose by this time you
may have heard from other sources that the sales
of^our various chemicals will now be conducted
bv Ur. Emery the head of the Purchasing Depart¬
ment here, in combination with his ^sistant Mr.
p. p. Lockwood. Their orders for naphthaline
you can take from them just as you use to take
from me.
So far as X know, the Benzol and Eoluol
will be handled by Uitsui & Co., and probablythe
Solvent Maphtha may be handled by Mr. Emery or Mr.
Lockwood.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Ur. Edison. /
,o»_ Edison 'Benzol Plant »«».il.0.y..
Organization and adoption of Dales Policy
>»- Effective Hovember 1, 1916.
Purchasing Service Dept, for Chemical Sales. Dept.
Mr. C.' E. Opdylte, Supt.,
Edison 3enzol Plant,"
O/o Woodward Iron Go.,
Woodward,- Alabama: . ■
Enclosed is a copy of .Financial
Executive's Memorandum #4002, dated October SO, 1914,
with reference to new sales policy ana the organization
of a chemical sales division to handle the sales of
chemicals for Mr. Edison's various Interests. Vhis is
sent- to you merely for your information.
■ Secretarial Service Dept, of
Personal Interests of 2. A. Edison,
Messrs. Oiia3. Edison and iV. H. Meadowcroft.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
FINANCIAL EXECUTIVE’S MEMORANDUM NO. J
DIVISION IN QUESTION - Edison Benzol Plant.
SUBJECT - organization - Adoption of sales i'olioy.
RESULT WANTED BY - Effeotive November 1, 1916.
PLEASE CO-OPERATE WITH - Purchasing Service Dopartment fc
Mr. C. H. Opdyke, Supt.,
Edison Benzol Plant,
Wo odward, Ala.
DATE - Oot. 30, 1914.
• Chemical Saloa Dep’t
Inasmuoh as practically all °f the oontraots of sale for the products
of the Aniline Plant and the Phenol Plant of personal Interests of 5. A, E. , ex¬
pire with the advent of the now year, it is Mr. Edison’s dosire that a very vig¬
orous campaign be inaugurated looking to tho Bale of those produots direotly to
consumers instead of handling them through brokers to the very large extent whloh .
has been tho polioy in the past.
With reference to the products of tho Araidophenol and the Benzidine
Plants of Personal Interest of T. A. E. , it is reoognized that continuing oon¬
traots exist which oall for practically the presont oapaoity of these plants,
but this oapaoity is susoeptible of lnoraase and any additional quantities wjiioh
we can manufacture over and above existing oontraots, should be sold direotly
to consumers#
This program is nede necessary by the fnot that wo must meet competition
and to do this we, of oourse, must forecast our purchases of raw material a long
time in advance, on a definite basis and with a definite knowledge of our actual
requirements for all of the coming year' and for a longer period ahead if possible,
in order that the continuance of these Plants may give us as long a period of time
as possible over which to wipe out tho investment which we have made therein.
It is thought that inasmuch as we are very large buyers of acids and
ohomicals, it would be well to combine the operation of buying and soiling these
produots, under the same general supervision because through
chasing more or less intimate relations are created and this should work to the
deoided advantage of our sailing propositions, in that the people from "
purchase raw matorialo will bo keen to stimulate such purohases by convoyin0 trade
information which it is believed will be of groat value.
Therefore, it is Mr. Edison’s dosire that effective November 1, 1916,
the responsibility for sales of produots of the Personal Plants, bo Pl“ood ™ °r
the direction of Mr. F. D. Lockwood as the sales Uuagsr, °
subject to tho supervision Of tho Purohaoing Agent, Mr. A. 0. Emory.
Mr. Edison desires at this timo to publicly excess J his aeproolation
of tho thorough and successful manner In whioh our oorapl8lj$fcbleM have
been handled by his assistant, Mr. v;. H.iieadoworoft , and it it hoped ttot the
foregoing arrangement will result in Ur. Uoadoworoft being relieved of all the
heavy0 burden of detail whioh this involves so as to leave Hr. deadoworoft avail-
ablo for other important work for Hr. Edison.
RESULT ACCEPTED _ 191 _ _
COPIES TO - !j0asra> cha8. Edison, W.H. Headoworoft,
PLEASE USE FORM J276 FOR ALL CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THIS MEMORANDUM.
ORIGINAL.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Woodward Iron Compani
^\rO OmVAltl* , AlA . April 4, 1917.
Thomas A. Edison,
Attention: Ur. P.. W. Kollov. , Sooty.,
Qrungo , if. J.
Gent lemon: -
0 n Uaroh cjth wo milled you statement of account of
Thomas A. Sdiaon to iiarch 1st, amounting to ;22,G11.74> •'•'ill1
request that you adviso us at what time we may expect settlement.
We have hoard nothing from you and are at a loss to understand
why some action has not heeii taken in regard to settlement. If
there 13 any reason why tho account should not ha paid we will
appreciate it if you will kindly advise us.
if our accounts ure not presented in the manner in which
you wish thorn please adviso us , wherein we will have them changed.
You can readily understand that your account on our hooks now
appears as long past duo and naturally creates tho impression that
wo are not looking aftor our collections properly and that you are
not giving tho account the proper attention. '.Vs also hog to call
your attention to the fact that a number of these charges represent
actual cash paid hy U3 for labor omployed at your plant nd we must
insist that the matter he given attention which it doservos.
Awaiting your reply, vn
SECRETARIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THOMAS A. EDISON, PERSONAL.
Memorandum No. u 0
DIVISION! Edison Benzol Plant, Woodward, Ala.
SUBJECT! Bond Date ^pr. 25, 1917
Hr. C. H. Opdyke, Supt.,
Edison Benzol Plant,
Woodward, Ala.
It is Mr. Edison's policy to have all persons who handle
money bonded and this matter has been taken oare of so far as the
people located at Orange are concerned.
I am enclosing herewith an application for bond which
I will be glad if you will kindly fill out and return to us so that
I may have you included among the rest of us.
Thanking you for your prompt attention, I am
rwk/jl
SECRETARIAL SERVICE DE1A RlilEKT OR THOMAS A. EDISON, PERSONAL.
SUBJECT:
Memorandum no.
Dat0 May 7, 1917.
Mr. C. H. Op dyke, Supt.,
Woodward, Alabama:
We beg to acknowledge reoelpt of yours of the
3rd, enolosing daily labor statement covering labor at the
Woodward Plant for the month of April, showing a total
expenditure on this acoount of $1427.32. We are returning
these statements to you, bb you will possibly need them for
your records, but we have taken the amount of money covering
same and figure the average dally man labor to be 16 men.
It will not be neoessary to send these reports in in this
shape, as all we require is the average men employed,
together with the money spent. The Statistical Department
will then tales the number of men into the money and get a
general average which will give them the information they
desire.
One thing we notice in this list: They
have two reports dated April 30th, one liBt showing $45.59
chargeable to Mr. Edison and $13.15 to the Woodward Iron
Company, the other list showing Just the opposite, or $45.59
against the Woodward Iron Company and $13.16 to Mr. Edison.
We did not Just understand this, and wish to bring to your
attention, and if you can sip la In, kindly do so.
For your information in handling this
we will state that on Maroh 31st the Woodward Iron Company
rendered us bill covering labor $1465.52. All you would have to
do in this instance would be to have the Woodward Iron Company
insert on this bill the average number of men which you could
furnish them, which together with tbs money would be the
information that we require. You need not however, go back to
Maroh 31st, but we would thank you to get this information as
of April and verify our figures as to the money and also the
number of men which we figure to be 16. If you will kindly
furnish this by early mail, we shall appreciate your efforts.
We have not however, received the bill for April from the
Woodward Iron Company as yet.
S£¥"Seoretary.
las/mh
Thomas A^Edjsopj
OraNGE.N.J. .jay 31, 1917
Ur. C. H. Opdyke, Supt.,
Edison Benzol Plant,
Woodward, Alabama.
We have received from the V/oodvard Iron Company
the following invoices, which after checking up we find have
not Been paid by this offices
Invoice dated Sept.
» » nov.
30th - $ .86
30th - 25.85
17th - 227.03
17th - 1201.31
21st - 1213.97
2lst - 224.71
30th - 38.99
31st - - - 10.00
30th - 17.05
30th - 267.59
30th - 1413.82
Our records indicate they have not been paid, and
before paying them, will thank you to attach your 0. K. and
forward by return mail, in order that we may handle promptly.
You will note the last item is listed as ^1413.82.
They sent us a previous bill in the amount of ^1404.17, and
later sent this amount as a corrected item, having added since
the ^9. 65. Evidently you can vouch for the above amounts, and
we would thank you to get them back to this office as promptly
as possible, in order that we may pay them and close' the old
items.
Thanking you for your usual co-operation, we are.
Yours very truly.
iDional Interest
SECRETARIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THOMAS A. EDISON, PERSONAL.
Memorandum No.
DIVISION! Edison Benzol Plant, Woodward, Ala.
SUBJECT! Bond Date Jun9 20( 1917,
Mr. C. H. Opdyke, Supt.,
Edison Benzol Plant,
Woodward, Ala.
Dear Mr. Opdyke:
Not having heard from you in answer to my memorandum
of April 25, 1917, #1160 with reference to bond, it occurs to me
that you may desire some further Information in this connection,
or perhaps have some objection to filling out the bond in the form
in which the application is made.
All persona at Orange who handle money or have
positions of considerable responsibility are bonded, though in many
cases the amount of the bond is small. This policy has been
carried out throughout the various Interests of Mr. Edison, and
the writer himself though handling no money, is required to come
in under the arrangement. 1 simply mention this to show you that
our request to you to fill out an application for bond is
simply in pursuance of this general policy, and so that you will
understand that the placing of various persons under bond is in no
way a reflection upon their integrity and should not be so con¬
sidered.
If there are any questions on the application blank
which are objectionable to you, such as references from your friends,
personal property holdings, etc., I would suggest that you fill in
...the application blank as regards the other qiestions, leaving the
objectionable questions blank. I believe we can put this through
with the Bonding Company.
I would be glad to hear from you as to your attitude
in the matter, and thank you for your kind co-operation.
XEW .JERSEY PRODUCTS, INCORPORATED
105 BROADWAY
MEW YORK
June 20, 191V
Edison Benzol Plant,
Woodward Iron Co.,
Woodward, Ala.
Gentlemen:-
We find that you are still sending bills
of ladings to this company at Orange and would advise
that under no oiroumstanoea are dooumentsto be
addressed to this company only at 165 Broadway, New
York City.
We are now looking for one bill of lading
whioh has been lost and would thank you to please
observe this instruction oarefully.
Yours very truly
NEW JERSEY PRODUCTS, INC.
Vioe President & Genera^ Alanj
SECRETARIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THOMAS A. EDISOl'T, PERSONAL.
Memorandum Ho.
DIVISION: Edison Benzol Plant, Woodward, A la bans. Data JvU3a 20, 1917.
SUBJECT: Daily Reports.
i>r. C. H. Opdyke, Supt.,
Edison Benzol Plant,
Woodv.ard, Alabama:
Since llr. liason left the Organization, I understand
that you have been sending us one less copy of the daily report. This
is according to information 1 received from Hr. Meadoworoft. I should
like very much to have a copy of this daily report in this office,
which I have not had previously, and have not asked for before this
time, for the reason that I supposed you were making about all of
the reports you could get with one writing.
Will you not b
reports as previously and send
Hr. liason, direct to the writer,
ad enough to make the same number of
which has heretofore been sent to
i so very greatly oblige.
R.
Thanking you, 1
SECRETARIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF Til. MAS A.
DIVISION: Edison Benzol Plant, Woodward, Ala.
SUBJECTS Monthly Inventories.
EDISON, PERSONAL.
Memorandum No.
Dato June 28, 1917,
Mr. C. H. Opdyke, Supt. ,
Edison Benzol Plant,
Woodward, Ala tana:
In order that we may arrive at aocurate costs of the
products of your plant, we should like to receive from you in the future
an inventory of materials and supplies, work in process and finished stock
at the close of each month, Beginning as of June 30, 1917.
It is my impression that you do not carry very much in
the way of materials and supplies, drawing upon the store room of the
Woodward Iron Company for the bulk of your needs, though there may be somj
other items which should be included here which you have to purchase from
other parties. V/e do not mean to have you inventory every bolt and nut
on the place, if there is no considerable quantity of them, but we should
like to got the value approximately correct.
\Ye should also like to have an inventory of the work
in process. 1 think this can be arrived at if you will estimate the
quantity of material still in the system, and advise us, say, the number
of days it has been in process. In order to arrive at the value of this
notarial we shall of course have to know approximately the constituent
amounts of each olass of raw material, such as absorbent oil, sulphuric ad i
etc. still remaining in the system. This we can figure the value of from
our billB, but as to the labor, we can only arrive at this by knowing
the length of time the material has been in the Bystem, and multiplying
this time by the cost per day of operating the plant.
We should like in addition an invar tory of the finished
stock on hand, that is, the quantity of benzol, toluol and the other
products.
Can you not arrange to give us this monthly, beginning
as above requested, on June 3oth'f
Your attention will be very much appreciated, and will
enable us to get out better costs for Mr. Edison.
Thanking you very much for your prompt attention
and advice, I am.
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT
OF
WOODWARD PLANT DURING THE PERIOD OF
JANUARY 1,1917 TO JUNE 30, 1917.
RUNNING EXPENSES DURING THE MONTHS OF
JANUARY, Bill #40
FEBRUARY, #43-1/3
C/M #46
MARCH, Bill #48
APRIL, " #53
MAY, * #53
JUNE , * #56
$6,053*45
14,338.73
7,093.78 •
15.913.65
14.867.66
10.739.46
$69 , 005 • 73
$69,005.73
NET PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF PRODUCTS
111^375 Gallons 0 47-l/S# per gal. $134,638.30
less freight paid $4,178.41
" " to be paid,
112,600 gal. figured
on basis of 7-1/4 lbs.
_ 7.380.54
$117,347.66
to gal .= 816,350 lbs.
3,108.15
$7,380.5'!
$117,347.66
TOLUOL*.
3815 Gallons @ $1.45
37013 " ® 1*25
less freight to be paid
27013 gal. figured on
basis of 7—l/4 lbs. to
gal. = 195844 lbs. 0
38# per cwt.
naphthalene:
17944 lbs. @ 7-1/3#
72392 " 0 8#
18118 " 0 8-1/2#
36183 « ®9#,
18000 " @ 9-1/3#
162536 lbs.
one half of commission
$54.11 which was omitted
from the previous state-
SOLVENT NAPHTHA:
10399 Gallons @ 15#
Allowance
959.00
~ $13 ,676 .57
$ 1,559.85
15.60
" $ 1 ,544735
$69 ,005.73"
101,116.54
1,544.35
"$l70 ,133 .37
Gross Profit
Grose Profit During the Season $101,116.54
Redemption of 17-1/2# Construction
Expenses $69,304.65 $12,138.33
Net Profit During the Season 88,988.33 _ _
$101, ' US’ .54 "$101, lib. 54”
One half net profits due you
Construction Expenses to be
redeemed
$44,494.11
17,336.15
■New .Jersey products, incorporated
105 BROADWAY
NEW YORK
July 11, 19.1V
Edison Benzol Plaut,
7/oodward Iron Co. ,
..'oodv/ard, Ala.
Gentlemens-
Kindly load in drums and ship to the
ff® s~; f S^riiSed
^^^Sr^-di^ of this material since
we cannot supply tanlc cars therefor.
Please therefore teen a good supply
available for this loading and I an today in_i p
' of tho'^Smorial^Kunitiono^Bocrd.^rea.nostins you to
■ r s r a jssffir sszr
Sms “«5iS; »*al ML9K »• *«•■>“«• =»“
ifiiliiiii
e° f0n*r4' 1 vnU 1
• to tli'e 'Clascal. Company.
• ’ ‘ • r liffiiii'di'ftot want you to ship move than one ad
'<& aitionai^4#«,ins July UnlB3S V,° 3 y°U '
at a latorv 'BataffliV. / ;
Yours very truly
lEV/ JERSEY PRODUCTS, E
Vice President & General ilanagei
Kew Jersey Products,:*
Edison Benzol Plant,
Cambria Steal Co.,
Johnstown Pa
Edison Benzol Plant *u.
Woodward Iron Co.,
Woodward Ala
with reference to my telegram of even date
regarding largo 2 took of empty drains formerly used for
aniline and myrbane Oil, will you please note the
following regarding the cleaning of these drums and
be governed accordingly :
"Aniline Oil and -iyrbane are poisonous if their
vapors are inhaled, and both produots are very readily
absorbed through the skin. When oleaning the drums, the
men should use rubber gloves and be very oareful that none
of the Aniline Oil or -Iyrbane touohes their skin or Bprays
over their trousers or shoes. The men should toko precautions
not to inhale the vapors. This Is easily avoidod owing, to
the faot that the sweet odor is readily doteoted.
Aniline and llyrbano both being very soluble in
solvent naphtha, the drume, for instanoe, oan be cleaned by
pouring twenty or thirty gallons of solvent naphtha in a
drum, closing the latter by a plug, and revolving tlie drum
for some time so as to bring tho solvent naphtha froquontly
into oontaot with the innder side of the drum. Die solvent
naphtha, after being used for oleaning about thirty drums,
should be dumped ina plaoe where it oan do no harm.
' Mon that ore poisoned by Aniline and iiyrbane usually
show the effects of the same by their lips and earsbeginning
to turn blue. At the first sign of suoh a poisoning the man
should be taken out Into the open air, given strong, blaok
ooffeo and rested a couple of hours. PosBlbly a doctor should
bo oalled.
Experience shows that by taking proper care whilst hand¬
ling Aniline and Hyrbane, any speolal danger oan bo avoided."
Tours very truly
HEW JERSEY PRODUCTS, XHO —
truggling to make empty the tanks
asten their return to you.
Yours very truly
NEW JERSEY PRODUCTS, _
Vioe President & General Onager /
SECRETARIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THOMAS A. KDISOH, PERSOHAL.
Memorandum Ho.
DIVISION! Edison Benzol Plant, Woodward, Ala.
SUBJECT: Tank Cars Cato Sept. 7th, 1917
Ur. C. H. Opdyke, Supt.,
Edison Benzol Plant,
Woodward, Alabama.
I note that your daily reports are still showing that you have
no tank oars on hand for the loading of Benzol and as at September 3rd you
had on hand 76284 gallons of Benzol.
I have had this matter up vigorously with New Jersey Products,
Ino. (Ur. Emery, Vice President and General Uanager of that Company) and
our Traffic Service Department, and am advised that the tank car situation
is very had at present. The market for Benzol at present also has some
influence on the situation.
The supply of tank cars to you is handled by Ur. Emery and our
Traffic Service Department and they assure me that everything possible is being
done to furnish you with these cars. I understand that there are several
cars on the way to you now which may arrive most any day. They are being
traced by the Traffic Department and every effort is being made to hasten
their movement. Ur. Emery also told me that he would write to you direct
regarding the situation which I suppose he has done.
We will continue to keep in touch witli the matter and if I can be
of any further service to you at this moment I' shall be glad to have you
wi re me.
Secretary;
Mr. EdiBOn has referred your letter of October 6th
to me for attention, and in answer would say that I am not
clear as to whether you want to raise our own operatives
.10$, or whether you merely mean that the cost of the work
performed by the Woodward company will amount to $100.00
per month more to us, due to an increase of 10$ to their
workers. If you mean that our operators must be given this
loi increase in orderjo retain them, Mr. Edison says that
he is agreeable to sl^&g'this extra charge if absolutely
necessary.
Please advise me a little more in detail as to
what action you have taken in the matter.
Yours very truly,
CE/12
"M-
^qJWkjla*.^ -)Co*^w*aX^ jaiUjv- QLc)c £3-17
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JL*, pSU A^-dtXa, m^lX' 7o a^UU~ J^cU^ XU
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WOOI^mO) IKOA COMP
lfoonmioMtu.
>v
W y/yjs
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, N.
Bear Sir: A*-
V/e enclose herein copy of letter written us September 25th by M &
A. C. Emery, Vice-President & General Manager, Kew Jersey Products
copy of our reply, in regard to contract now existing between
V/e would never be able to square ourselves with the DirectorS
Company if we do other than exercise our rights under our contract
say, we will be forced to take over your V/ocdward Plant on March 15th,
dor the terms of our agreement .
You will recall that our contract provides that we
the output of the Plant at the market price in case you desire to pu^sha:
this privilege to continue for one year from the date
Plant,
, Inc.,yandr*t' t/
OyU *
r%4//
,7 0 v' A
., 191A. ui*- , A
l/fy>
7 /
y m
hoDe that you will appreciate the situation and understand why v/e j
W
di
cannot comply with Ur. Emery's request.
With kindest regards, we are
Yours truly.
rhb-hg
Vice-President.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
IVo odward Iron Company
1V&0»TCVK»,AlA.. Hovem'oor 15, 1917
Mr. A. C. Emory, Vloo. Proa. £> Gon’l Mgr.,
Hew Jersey Products, I no.,
165 Broadway,
New York Oity.
Dear Siri
Your lottor of September 25th, addressed to Ur. Woodward, was received
during ny absence, and has been reforred to mo for reply.
We feel that there 1b an implied compliment in your request, as it in¬
dicates that wo have taken our medicine so cheerfully that neither you nor Mr,
Edison had any idea of how impatiently some of our Directors were awaiting the
termination of the oontraot now existing between this Company and Mr. Edison.
The arrangement was criticised by some of our Direotors on aocount of
our having made this long-tons oontraot. Under tho olrcumstanoes, we cannot
oonsider a renewal of the existing agreomont, and expect to take over the Edi¬
son Plant here on Haroh 15th, 1918, in accordance with the terras of our agree¬
ment.
We will, of course, sell Mr. Edison the output of the Plant he ’Ib now
operating here, in case he cares to purohase at the martast price, subjeot to
the orders of the United States Government.
Hegrottlng very muoh that we oannot comply with your request, we are
Yours truly,
WOOKVABD IEOH COMPAHY,
Vice-President.
rhb-g
Orange, H. J.
New Jersey Products.incorpc
165 BROADWAY
"NEW YORK.
ilovombor 16, 1917
Edison Benzol Plant,
Woodward Iron Co.,
Woodward, Ala.
Gontlomon:-
Confinnins telegram last night :
Ploaso note that ignoring all provious inotmotions.
New Jersey Products, ihcohi-ouatkh
165 BROADWAY
•NEW YORK
November 19th, 1917*
0. H. Opdyke, Supt.,
Edison Benzol Plant,
Woodward Iron Company,
Woodward. Ala.
Sear Sir:
I have wired you today
s follows i
"TOUR NIGHT LETTER. NOTE TOLUOL SITUATION. ONE
HUNDRED FIFTY DRUMS SHIPPED FROM JOHNSTOWN SHOULD
Traanw YOU VERT SOON. BEING TRACED. STILL NO
MAUTOT FCS SOLVENT NAPHTHA AND IF YOU CANNOT SAVE
TOUR TOLUOL OTHERWISE YOU WILL HAVE TO WASTE SOLVENT
NAPHTHA. PLEASE BE.lGOVERNED ACCORDINGLY. LETTER
FOLLOWS."
We are tracing the 150 drums from Johnstown,
and also urging the return to you of every possible
drum from all souroes. We have now given you all
of our tank oars to the exclusion of Dominion and
Johnstown. We also also sending you tank oar for
Toluol, and between both you should be well oared
for from this time forth. However, both Woodward
ana ourselves are so badly loaded up with Solvent
Naphtha, that if you oannot protect all of your
materials you will, of oourse waste the Solvent
Naphtha and save the Toluol.
Tours very truly,
NEW JERSEY PRODUCTS INC.
Vice' President & Genepsi Manager
ACEiO
Crtewsc/t-i^sr'
Woodward Irox Company
^ Vo OD1VAUD, A!.,*- . Deoembor 1% 1917.
(yl\<xxJ-*i '($3y
Ur. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, H» J.
Dear Sin-
T/o enclose herein a copy of our letter of Kovember 15th, advising
you that we would talco over your hensol plant at this place on March 15. x9ie>
under the terms of contract existing between us. Y/e are writing you again on
this subject because we thought possibly our letter might have miscarried and
we do not wish to appear as reaching this decision without giving you due
notioe.
Tours truly.
Vice President.
.STATEMENT OF. WOODWARD PLANT DURING YEAR. 1.917
SALES-PROFIT-EXPENSES
- -SALES -
Benzol - 461,967 Gale. 0 .47
Less: Freight Paid - 1,618.48
" " Bill #51 paid 5/24/17 2,559.99
« " to be paid on (312,192 Gal s)_8, 600.89,
Toluol- - 61,546 Gala. - (3815 Gale. @$1.45)
57731 » @?1.25)
LesssFreight to bo paid on 57,731 Gals. 1,590.49
Naphthalene. - 452,074 Lbs.-— .(18,000 @.09 1/2* )
36,182 @.09 *)
397,892 @.08 *)
Lese:Freight Paid -
* " to be paid -
■ Discount -
" Allowance -
1/2 of commission $54.11 omitted previous
statement.
Solvent .Naptha. - 15059 Gals. 0 .15*
Lobs: Discount -
278.03
1,478.96
46.07
57.84
27.06
15.60
219,434.47
. 12,?79. 3r. . 206,655.17
77,695.50
.. ... 76,105.01
36,798.61
Depreciation-
Expenses
Running expenses to the end of Deoember
Redemption of 25$ construction expenses of $ 69,304.65
profit
Mitsui & Co. 1/2 Profit - 85,243.15
Edison & CO. 1/2 * - 85,243.16
132,100.12
17,326.15
Expenses
Net Profit
319,912.58
149,426.27
170,486.31
NEB JERSEY PRODUCTS, Incorporated
166 Broadway
New York
Function Edison Benzol Plant, Woodward, Ala. Memorandum No .33
Subject Toluol Date Jan. 10, 1918
To 0. H. OpdykB, Supt.,
Edison Benzol Plant,
Woodward, Ala.
I have been endeavoring to have an additional tank oar
rushed to you by the British Chemical Company for loading, but they ad¬
vise us by telegraph today it is impossible for them to secure a tank
car, and that they have instructed the American Steel Package Company of
Defiance, Ohio, to immediately rush to you 1 carload containing 120
These, after loading with TOLUOL, ship to the British Chemical
Company, Trenton, Ontario, Canada, at the earliest possible moment.
I note from your Daily Report that you have on hand 80 empty
drums. If these drums are suitable for TOLUOL loading I suggest you
immediately load up say - 1 carload of Toluol in these drums, and
replace the number that you use from the stock which you receive from
the American Steel Package Company.
You will, of course, require an additional shipment of drums
to clean up your Toluol shipments at the close of business in March
Matters are progressing nicely looking to the puchase of our
plant by the Woodward Company at the close of our contract on March
15th, and I will be glad to have advioe from you as to just how you
will finish pp your production at this plant. I presume the program
will contemplate the Woodward Iron Company shutting off the ^.ses from
your plant as of March 15th, and then giving you sufficient time to
work out the material in process so that we will not turn over to them
any of the product.
It is our plan to hurry drums or a tank oarsto you fast enough
to enable you to have all of your BENZOL and SOLVENT NAPHTHA roll to
us at Silver Lake by the middle of March. But, of course, your final
shipment of TOLUOL will go to the BritiBh Chemical Company.
CU c _
JL*{ MU*. <
dLf uxJ /clt
aSo '/«-< g'd /63
/
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, New Jersey.
Gentlemen: -
ATT: MR. ICELLOW
fa bag to enclose herewith statement of account
of Woodward Plant during the period of July 1,1917 and Dec., 31,
1917, and our oheck amounting to §24,684.89 covering payment
of one half of net profit during the season.
As to the deduction of redemption of 35$ construc¬
tion expenses from gross profit during the season, ive beg to
state that we have done so according to the request of your
Mr. Spindle, and we trust you will find that construction ex¬
penses of $69304.65, have been fully redeemed.
After March 15,1918, the Plant will be entirely in
your possession, and if you sell the Plant to the Woodward
Iron Co., after that date and it necessitates us to certify to
the effect, don't hesitate to ask us to do so.
Yours & CQii LIMITED
.
ST/RBA
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT
OP
WOODWARD PLANT DURING THE PERIOD OF
July let . 1917 - Deoembar 31st . 1917 ,
\
RUNNING EXPENSES DURING THE MONTHS OF
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
$10,530.51
9.063.64
9.806.33
10,653.07
13,307.51
9.833.34
$63,6109“
$63,094.39
i
J
NET PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF PRODUCTS
benzol:
199,593 gallons @47 -|# per gal. $94, 896,37
Less freight to he paid
199,593 gallons figured on
a basis of 7-1/4 lbs to a
gallon = 1,447,043 lbs. 0
38 £ per cwt. 5.498.76 --
$89,307.51
TOLUOL:
30,718 gallons @$1.35 $38,397.50
Less freight to be paid
30,718 gallons figured on'
a basis of 7-1/4 lbs. to a
$37,551.33
gallon = 333,705-5 lbs. @
38# per owt
$37,551.33
NAPHTHALENE:
389,538 pounds @8# per lb.
Less freight to be paid
$33,163.04
938.96
$33,134108“ $33,334.08
SOLVENT NAPHTHA:
4,650 gallons @15#
$ 697.50
Gross Profit
$ 697.50
$63,694~.39' SiiSTTSfcsr
86.695.93
$149^790.31 $149^796.31
Gross Pfofit during the season
Redemption of .35$ Construction
Expenses- $69,304,65
Net Profit during the season
$86,695,93
$17,336.15
One half net profit due you
$34,684.89
Secretarial Service Department
THOMAS A. EDISON, PERSONAL
FUNCTION! Edison Benzol Plant, Woodward, Ala. Memorandum No.
SUBJECT: Naphthalene - property of UP. Edison Date January 26, 1918
TO!
Mr. 0. H. Opdyke, Supt.,
Edison Benzol Plant,
Woodward, Ala.
Your notation on daily report of January
22nd to the effect that 14 tons of Naphthalene on hand is the
property of Mr. Thomas A. Edison is noted. I presume this
notation is made to distinguish this quantity from joint
naphthalene.
We will depend upon you to see that this
is shipped as property of Mr. Edison.
HWK/jL
Copies to- Mr. A. C. Emory
1533-1-750-1117
raw JERSEY PRODUCTS, Incorporated
165 Broadway
New York
Function Edison Benzol Plant, Woodward, Ala.
Subject Crude Solvent Naptna
To
Memorandum No. 16
Date Fab. £5, 1918
Mr. C. H. Op dyke, Supt.,
Elison Benzol Plant,
Woodward Iron Co.,
Woodward, Ala.
Dear Sir:-
I have your letter of February 17th with reference to
the Crude Solvent Naptha whioh you returned to the tar tanks of
the Woodward Iron Company and 1 would suggest that you dispose of
subsequent accumulations in the sane manner to long as we have
the operations of the plant or until March 15th.
In connection with the transferring of the plant as of
March 15th, I would be glad to be advised as to how long you
believe it will take to work out the problem after .that date
before we are entirely through at Woodward; for instance, assuming
that the gases are shut off from your operation on ^roh Ibth. how
long will it take you to oomplete the development of your benzol,
toluol and naphthalene flake. I am trying to get some line on
the situation as to how we can best handle the situation and dis¬
pose of the heavy tonnage of Denzol whioh you have accumulated.
The present railroad situation has,
fortunate situation on containers.
f aourse, caused a very un-
I note that you have now aooumulated a oarload of nap-
thalene so we will expect you to make shipment as soon as a line
is open.
Yours very truly
NEW JERSEY PRODUCTS^. IMj-
Vioe President & General Manager f
ACE: HJR
2808-1M118
THOMAS A. EDISON , PERSONAL
Office of Secretary
FUNCTION i Edison Benzol Plant, Woddward, Ala.
SUBJECT t Plant reoords.
TO«
Memorandum No. i '
Date April 12, 1918
Mr. C. H. Opdyke, Superintendent,
Edison Benzol Plant,
Woodward, Alabama.
Thank you for your letter of April
the reoords of the Plant which you state you
when you havo finally closed up business.
7, 1918, regarding
will send to Orange
What I have in mind is the Formulae used in manufactur¬
ing nroducts and any other records of manufacturing that y ou may
have', together with such other papers as in youi judgment should
bn filed away by us here. It may be that Mr. udison may require
the foroulae etc. at some later date; at any rate it would be very
interesting to have them in our files.
Hot that Mr. Mason has left us, I do not know of any
record of the data being on file here at Orange.
Thanking you for your
further attentii
at the proper
Copies to«-
1533-1-750-917
rmierm BRHZOL PbAflT
v.'nndgarfl- Alabama
— -000O000—
Statement of undistributed
an of January Slat, 1920. to be sharod by Kitsui
ft Co. I**, Thomas A. Edison
mm.
Dnueod Freight and Contingent Boserves Retails ae follows)
Year For
. Reserved —
1916 Frol gilt 3290.00
1917 « 11670.34
1918 " 1042.60
1918 Contingent 300.00
1860.72
5532.29
6138.05
1042.60
290.01
Credit itemo #3 of Thome A. Edison for plant aocount dated
January 31, 192° for Sundry accounts
Credit Konc of Thomas A. Edison for plant aocount #4,
Sr=HT=»jr
#53 A June 1. 1917 Settlement of Seaboard Air Line
shipment of Sapthaline burned in car Ii.Y.O. 149122
snipmeuk _ 1 Froiudit Allowance
949.95 "
662.75
412,241.25
LOSS
Sill $2, January 31. 1920 of Thomas A. Edison for sundry items not
previously billed to Mitsui & Co. $1475.48
Bill #S0, January 31. 1920 of Thomas A. Edison, Personal
covering freight allowances due him on shipments of Benzol
on hi6 orders during year 1917 4222.45
Bill $21, January 31. 1920 of Thomas A. Edison. Personal for
amount due him on shipment of Toluol on March 5th, 1917 in oar
Southern 15962 763.00
$6460.93
Balance of Profit to be distributed 5760.32
$12,241.25
Shore of Mitsui £ Co. 60$ 2890.16
•• •* SEhomas A. Edison 50$ 2890.16
5780.32
ill
38-891
HEAD OFFICE, TOKYO.JAPAN
%,/■/,■ ,
. '//Mm"
f. -//tY.iftf i'jt). //M/t’H'Lft/t/j/w(. S/fi/J
TEA Dept. 67 Front Street, te
Maroh 1st, 1930.
Thomas A. Edison, Ino., Attention - Mr. Kellow
Orange, N.J.
Gentlemen:-
Please accept our thanks for your
favor of February 36th, enclosing Ur. Edison’s
check for *10,000, returning operating capital
advanced by us in connection with the Edison
Benzol Plant at Woodward, Alabama.
ST :SM
Special Collections Series -- Chemical Production Records
Edison Chemical Works Records
These records consist of interoffice communications, technical notes, and
other documents pertaining to the operations of the Edison Chemical Works in Silver
Lake, New Jersey. Formally established around 1905, the Works manufactured
chemical compounds used in Edison's products, such as iron and nickel
compositions for storage batteries and wax for recordable phonograph cylinders. It
became a division of the Edison Storage Battery Co. sometime between 1915 and
1919.
Documents relating to the Edison Chemical Works can be found in both
subgroups of the archival record group at the Edison National Historic Site: (1) Plant
Records [intermixed with the organic plant records]; and (2) Exide Corporation Gift,
Accession #495. As in the case of the records for the organic chemical plants, these
documents do not constitute the complete business records of the Edison Chemical
Works. The material in the Exide gift subgroup appears to represent items relating
to Edison personally among the papers of the senior engineers and managers at the
Works.
All of the selected documents are from the Exide gift subgroup. The folders
are arranged according to the individual experimenter or unit with whom Edison was
corresponding: (1) J. V. Miller Papers; (2) C. F. Hunter Papers; (3) W. J. O Dan-
Papers; (4) Other Experimenters; (5) Wax Division Papers.
Related material can be found in the Edison Chemical Works folders in the
Edison General File Series; in Notebooks by Experimenters Other Than Edison-
Chemical Experiments in the Notebook Series; and in Edison Storage Battery
Company— Plant Operations and Research Records in Thomas A. Edison Papers:
A Selective Microfilm Edition, Part IV.
Folders Not Selected [from Plant Records Subgroup]
Edison Chemical Works. These folders contain business records, production
reports, interoffice correspondence, and financial material relating to the prewar
chemical business.
Central Laboratory, TAE Industries. These records consist of a detailed series of
research requests and assignments relating to problems in battery and wax
production, 1918-1920. This work was conducted at the Silver Lake aboratory,
rather than at West Orange, and there is no evidence of any substantial Edison
involvement.
Phenol Resin and Wax Dept. These folders contain internal correspondence and
weekly reports dating from 1916-1917 and 1924.
Special Collections Series - Chemical Production Records
Edison Chemical Works Records
John V. Miller Papers (1913-1920)
These documents consist primarily of interoffice communications,
technical notes, and production reports exchanged between Edison and his
brother-in-law John V. Miller, manager of the Edison Chemical Works. The
dated items cover the years 1913-1915 and 1919-1920. There are also a
number of undated technical notes from Edison to Miller, one of which may
have been written as early as 1 909. Other correspondents include Robert A.
Bachman, vice president and general manager of the Edison Storage Battery
Co.; Ralph H. Beach of the Federal Storage Battery Car Co.; chemical
engineers Thomas D. Greenley and Charles F. (Frank) Hunter; Edison's
personal assistant William H. Meadowcroft; and construction and
maintenance manager Charles A. Nicolai.
Most of the documents relate to composition and manufacturing process
experiments on the iron and nickel mixes used in storage batteries. Also
mentioned are Edison's other chemical plants at Silver Lake, which produced
phenol and other organic chemicals; the Wax Dept.; and general equipment
and operations issues such as water usage. Many of the notes in Edison's
handwriting have been stamped on the back with the date and the notation
"Received Edison Chemical Works Silver Lake, N.J."
All of the documents have been selected except for duplicates.
(/Afc Jo
^ c/<^0
G&y^ & 5:c^<
^ slj t-Wu f~f - *J
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
EDISON CHEMICAL WORKS
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,'
Edison Laboratory;
Orange, H. J.
Lear Mr. Edison-
SILVER LAKE. N. J. Jun6 13, 1913
$ j
r s q t*%'
syy c-,
We would like to call your -attention to the matter of
supplying power to the Beaoh people or the Federal Storage \
Battery Co., We have our plant connected with the Public \
Service and are using that power hut we have to run a large J
engine, 2B0 H. P. to supply a few horse power to the Beaoh J
^•people. , We have taken the matter up with the Beaoh people
several times hut they state that there is some question
about getting the material from the manufacturers. We doubt
this statement somewhat, as we believe the manufacturers have
the motors, transformers, eto., ready but the Beaoh people
will not take them. Bo you want us to continue running the
engine indefinetly? Probably a word from you to Mr. Beaoh
might settle the matter and they would complete their arrange¬
ments and we would be able to Bhut down the engine.
Tours truly,
EDISOH C
EDISON CHEMICAL WORKS
VI i
1132. Thogjas A.
July 23, 1913.
[
i 0 Demr Url Edtaah;- \ ?
2 4 J 5 v Someltime ago I submitted to you the analysis
^ ^ . 0f4ron fc£x re&vered^y means of the exhauster from the
V ^ y6 M iJl Los^|nS De^' jj\ C|re.nge, H. J. At the time, we had
<J ^ J i ^ V^nSfPdetesliined tL Al\\na contents . The cc
S 3 ^T^yBirisnowaMolls;-
JL ^ Silicon - 00 .205$ _ Pe - 85.500??
^ g I Calc&m - 00.258?? HgO - 6.5855?
>o_rs , «
Alumina - 00 .085?
n hand of this material about 12000 lbs .
e wish to know whether you
a to mix this in small
'•'quantities with the 0. P. mix, or let it stand until we
have a long test on the- oells now running .
J We took the matter up with Mr. Bachman, explaining
to him that there was a great loss of iron through this
— 1 exhauster . They have changed things now so that this loss
has been considerably reduced.
Yours sincerely,
j * Edison Chemioal Works .
JVM/R(P)
Report of week ending - . Julia. _2Qth/l4..v
Fldison Chemical Works
Production
During Week
Nickel Hydrate 76oo#
Iron Mix-Small Gua77,
General
Nickel Anodes Curved 2461# = 70
Bar Distilled Water
Stock on Hand-
Nickel Hydrate 36823#^
Iron Mix-Small 1961u'a-r
General
Nickel Anodes Curved 2605# = 74
Bar
21% Electrolyte
33% “ 1350o#
Nickel Anodes Curved 1412# = 40
Distilled Water
Hypo
133-|- Gftls
500 Litres
To Deutche Edison Accumulatoren Co.,
Iron Mix
Production Labor 373.74
General Expense 913.74
Investments 45 • flf’ —
Total
Pav Roll
Employees - Total - 36
End of week - 34
1335.23
Bills received during the week ft 5632.67
Sales during the week 440 6 . 8
. Remarks on reverse side
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
EDISON CHEMICAL WORKS
Report of week ending .
IRON
Tc C ly.r
Average Results of Mix Nos.
Leading We^h
Lowest
26 |l
.Highest
iC,.6 4:6
Average
2, .6 26
NICKEL
Average Results of Batch Nos. 4ol30 -
Loading Weight
3rd Run at 200
16th Run at 200
Lowest 7 ilCo
Highest £ .07 o
Remarks on reverse side
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Eia?BriIMEl:TS
ITIOICEL -
#1957- Purpose- Effect of quick drying
General- Sample from Agitating t
Detail - Boiled to 15 .67f5 Solids
,i loading weight .
dried 100cC in 49* hrs .
#1950- Purposo- Effect of quick drying on loading weight.
Goneral-
Detail -
Sample from Agitating tai
Boiled to 18.7 j> solids,
dried 100°0 in 74* hrs.
#1950-
purpoao-
Goneral-
Dotail -
Effect of quick drying
Part of hatch .#52&5 . £
Dried at high heat 120
on loading
V in 17 hi
/eight .
#1961-
Purpooe- Effect long dryinj
General- -Part of #524'i .
Detail - Dried at 100 , in i
loading
weight .
*1962- Purnoso- To check-' regular driers against laooratorj- drier.
General- 'Part of *5209.'
Detail - Dried in gas over. 00 hrs .
#19 i'5- Purpose- Effect of quick drying on loading weight.
General- 5 pans of hat oh #3265. c . s
Detail - Dried in high heat drier at 120 m ~7 nrs .
#1955- Purpose- Effect of long drying on loading weight.
General- 3 pans of hatch #5255.
Detail - Dried in low heat drier, dried in 1- aays .
Batch #5264- Purpose- Effect on loading weight of ^g^ta,
mush as muoh as reg batnn.es in precipiiun j-nu
General -
Detail - Boiled to 15S
#5265- Same as #5264.
15f» ,- dried at 75 Ids steam pre
*#266 - " r" #5254.
#5267 - Purpose- Effect on loading weight of boiling DiSO^ si
Bldg. #2 longer than regular. ■
General- Hade 3 regular batches .
Detail - . y .
#5263- Same as #5257 .
#5269- " " #5267 .
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
(j&JiLXZ^ Qi^L £~.& l t~et^C
« Qfin^tk
July 16th, 1914.
TDG-9-807
. fa*#'
jSV
,ri
. ts
.SL
■ n
%re
,rs
Jr
.fL
.&y
Mr. R. A. Bachman:
As instructed X have eotqmined the equipment for
the manufacture of electrolyte at the Edison Chemical Works.
Mr. J. V. Miller was not at the plant\when we got there, and
we were taken through the plant hy Mr.XHunter, who jtalkedjjjj).
Mr. Miller over the telephone while we Wer either e. vvw IC-Mvtn. Qvu,-C^
- — .a^UV
The plant in use at present consists of three tanks
of l/4 in. iron 5 feet 9 inches diameter ahd four feet high. ^ et
Each of these tanks takes five drums of the\solid potash and
produces about7333 pounds of 33$ KOH in a ba\oh. Two of these
tanks are settled before drawing off the solution. Mr. Hunter
states that the settling requires seven days. NThe tank which
is not settled is said to produce finished solution containing
only a few hundredths of 1$ of suspended or insoluble matter.
The water used in dissolving the potash is condensed steam from
the Hickel Hydrate dryer. All of these tanks are equipped with
conical sheet iron covers and facilities for blowingAjm m ate*
into the solution to prevent caking of the Potash in the bottom
of tank, and to mix the solution.
There are two additional tanks in this equipment
but they are not used regularly. These measurements are:
1-5 feet 9" diameter x 4 feet high
1 - f
2"
Mr. Hunter states that the labor cost is .0002^
per pound and the complete cost all items, included 2.398 cents
per pound.
The new equipment consists of 2 tanks 13 feet diameter
4 feet high having racks built at the bottom to holdthe cakes
of solid Potash, and equipped with air and water inlet pipes.
These tanks have a total capacity of 5:5000 Liters - a useful
capacity of 10000 liters and are designed to handle 4200 A-4 equiv¬
alent per day
Q*
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*2,.
Mar oh 4th/l5 .
IJr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, K« J.
He/ Charge for Stool Drains ,
Door Mr. Edison;- Carbolic Aoid Slant.
Wo reooived this morning your note rolativo to our
charge for the 110 gallon Bteel arums whioh wo sent to the Car¬
bolic Aoid Slant. In reply would say that those are drums which
we use for electrolyte shipments , and it hae boon our custom for
a long time to ohargo these out at the prioe of §10. eaoh, with
tho idea that they are all -loaned .
The idea of thiB charge is that being ouito an amount,
wo would ho much more apt to have thorn rotor nod . The actual
prioe is much less. The laBt drums we purohasea Hov.1913 oost
us $7.36 delivered at our Works.
When those arums were sent to tho Carbolic Plant, we
understood that they wore borrowed only. Therefore, we made the
oustomary charge of $10. oaoh .
If these drums ore to he kept there ana an actual sale
matte, I suppose we would have to oroait them with ihe difference
between the oost to us and $L0 . Tho drums were now, never having
•been used for Potash. We will take up the matter with tho Ino.
Purchasing Dept .
Yours very truly,
EDISOH CHEMICAL WORKS ,
%C.
3VM/3GB.
EDISON CHEMICAL WORKS
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Edison laboratory,
Orange, E.J
Dear Mr. Edison=
silver lake, n, 3. , March 12 , 101 5 •
oL\j
Herewith enclosed wp Eendyou^a 1 ^ ml11
supplies, such os pipe f ittin^t^a^sV'p11110^8 • eEfl pil’e 1361,133 *
This material we h ve had on hai
M long time, and made
two or three attempts to dispose of" it through the other Edison
plants, hut as yet v/e have diupoaad^of X%£..JL {ju
You vail notice that at the top oflthe^lisvw'ihere sre
i number of H" Ells, and l£" Open Rojiunn Bends. These
r good for heating coils. Thaw'S* Bought some time
quit e
would he i
ago together with the 1" Tee iron for Michel Hydrat e^driers . We
did not use them owing to the fact that. we inoreased^output of
old driers, and new ones were unnecessary.
Also you vail note on sheet two, thr<
one is the H type, ana two are the 3 type. T’
here with the tv/o B. & W. boilers, which
ego .
6" exp v ns ion hen a
Two of these were scv
installed some time
t 8era this list to you with the hope that you can in
some way arrange with the different purchasing departments to h:ve
it used . We are sending duplicate copies to Hr. Bachman, Mr .Cheshire
--
and Mr. Saltzman.
Yours i
-ery truly,
EDI SOU CHEMICAL WORKS ,
-> Mgr .
JVM/HDY
A o 4" •
X CXjbef<'&)}H
(/" h'lACc'V Lu'dn/h k
f&oo-co t,jj- HUy ccti i. ^
Jun.C- _. Is-foA L - /
. Ccu — ' ' — -
-•X"
af#-
CL^A _ / y-u^Oj
\cua-C A'O ei i ujiCa-ijcc-J
itj cu d> '6c^ ' l£c.
/'Cusu.lc'i A Lo~o~u,Cb “&c Cl-t-u^
Cc<) u gu-t-V- Ct^jLtlzLtsi _ /Cr^lLCj - tAr:
<?«.
A)..
4 4 / A-yZ •
/A/f /
• x .'§>) ./-
$ ••' 4
LOdU — 3L- - *
rhos. A. Edison / £e~Wk l»
Edison laboratory, , J cl -t+r -*\Y r
Orange, II .J. &eVc-v~* ^ *■
tC-P'&ii
Dear Mr. Edison; -
A committee of "Celebration
of the Settlement of the City of Newark, H.J." oalLed here a
couple of daya ago, aid left a card requesting a do^tion.
I told them that it would be necessary for ns? to take
it up with Orange. In the meantime I have talked w^Ur. Hudson
of the Primary Battery Division, and we have come ^conclusion
that it would be a wise policy to give some attention to this
cause. First ; in consideration of the good work of the Newark
Mre Department in helping us out on the big fire in December.
Secondly; to keep on good terms if possible with the people in
Newark, in lieu of our relying upon them to help us out in case
of fire down here.
,bw he,. ashed »r . donation of 5260.00, and I thontfit
it would be, possibly, tha best w.y for on, donation to b. .ad. fro.
you .blob would b. apportioned nous the differ.nt oorpanleo, either
tbl. entire -oust, or os »ob a. you see fit to sirs. I enel.s.
card which was left here.
JVU-HDY
1-enol .-Card
Yours sincerely,
EDISON CHEMICAL WORKS,
Mgr .
Edison Chemical Works
Belmont Ave. Silver Lake.
Bloomfield & Belmont
,A^
RESUU-
Hay Sth. 1915.
The Committee of One Hundred,
790 Broad Street,
Hewark , B . J .
Gentlemen:
Ur. Edison, Being the owner of the Edison Chemioal
'Works at Silver Lake, H. J.f has had referred to him your
request to said WorkB for a contribution of 0260. doubtless
in addition to this request you have or will request contri¬
butions from Thomas A. Edison, Inc., Edison Phonograph Works
and Edison Storage Battery Company, all of Orange. All of these
Companies are owned or controlled by Hr. Edison, and because
of the great Iobs sustained by him, due to the disastrous fire
Which occurred in December last, which necessitated the expendi¬
ture of a vast amount of money to rebuild, also because of the
contributions to a great many worth causeB during the past 0ls:
months, also because none of the Companies mentioned are lo¬
cated within the City of liewarfc, he feels reluctantly compelled
to advise that he cannot see his way clear to make any contri¬
butions whatever toward the fund required fbr the celebration
of the 250th Anniversary of the settlement of the City of Newark.
Yours very truly,
(signed) Y/m. H. Meadowcroft.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
C.C. to Messrs: Wilson, Berggren, Bachman and J. V. Miller.
CHEMICAL WORKS
, Shoe . A. Edison,
Edison Laboratory,
Orange , H . J •
c/SL”
Dear Mr. Edison; -
There are a couple of steel cars J^Sted for motors
to be used for pulling reduction pots ouj#of furnaces 3
standing i\dle in the new Chemical Pie
of them in our plant to good advanl^jl
Also we want to get a jJfssure tank for pumping some
of our solution (as iron, sulph#) by air pressure and do away
with pumps which are a Jon stable trouble owing to the acid
eating away the metal T#re may be a tank in the new Chemical
Plant which we Eight l|
Will you kJj write Mr. Kammerhoff a letter allowing
us to measure up the|^paratus and if v
them to our plant?
i to remove
Yours very truly,
EDISON CHEMICAL WORKS ,
JTO/HDY
V
EDISON CHEMICAL WORKS
oate June lGth-1915 .
Ur. Bachman and Research.
Ur. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, H.J.
Dear Hr. Edison:
r.u
-
Confirming conversation of the writer ^
with you this afternoon regarding the quality of nic^e^^r^
hydrate as effected hy the presence of Cohalt, we
give you the enclosed data sheet .which will show.&^Tur^
opinion,' that Cohalt has no advantage, and in fact
to he quite a detriment to the electrical capacitjppf^e /
nickel hydrate. It would seem to us, and we would' re-^ J- .
commend, that we discontinue the adding of any Cohii&'^o
the nickel hulphate solutions.
Xn accordance with your authority
given to-day, we are adding to new hatches of nickel
sulphate,**** only l/lO $ of Oohalt, and we shall con¬
tinue to do same until otherwise directed hy you.
Will you kindly approve in writing this
action so we may have same on record.
Yours very tfuly,
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
June 21st -1915.
REGULAR AITD EHPERIi.iEilTAI KICKED HYDRATES
EFFECT OF VARIOUS i’EECEETS OF COBAIT
Co.
ID .Y/T .
Tube
110
111
112
163
164
165
1323
1307
1307
1380
1343
1327
1293
1247
1250
1217
1257
1367
0.1 0.5
7.530 7.503
548-9E 550-1E
1383
1343
1320
1250
1227
1293
1177
1227
1260
0.0 0.1 0.3
7.619 7.676 7.647
552-3E 554-5E 556-7E
1333
, 1290
1267
1267
1223
1213
1167
1173
1220
1030
1230
1230
1380
1375
1357
1557
1343
1333
1233
1250
1263
1220
1253
1300
953
1260
1257
1350
1360
1360
1420
1393
1357
1267
1280
1283
1223
1230
1340
1400
1417
1410
1417
1390
1357
1297
1507
1297
1243
1327
1303
0.0
7.520
9012-13
1057
1200
1190
0.0
7.437
1175-4R
923
1070
1253
1297
1387
1583
1380
1380
1363
1353
1393
1410
1323
1323
1357
1077
1197
1180
1293
1230
1247
1267
1307
1300
1293
1267
1233
1203
1193
1210
1180
1133
1173
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
'lUU-
x ,
Jk/tvi aJLi U|js^cw *
t-tfcf ^T ~Z~ 0cOLt/'<r&C,'t
ktf- ^<-£, CLerc^uu <Q&{ei ’* “*'
u tu<^‘
_ . c& r^L ,r
6>£4- lut-tf1 C- (\ t^^US-C-c C-*I
Gd
f
\
t
Laboratory,
Mr. Edison'' Experiments.
Mr. Cox,
JVM--970
June 4th 1919.
Mr. Edison requested the following
experiments to be mado. Will you kindly make up the follow¬
ing experiments and advise:
Please make in your small apparatus several oz
of 80 parts of Ferrous Sulphate & 20 parts
of Niokel Sulphate both put together in solution
Evaporate to dryneBB
ignite to red oxide
Reduoe in hydrogen , „ , ^
Belfheat & make up 4 of 5 grm Silver lake Pookets
and send up to test.
let me know results,
also
another lot of 76 parts Ferrous Sulphate &
26 parts of Magnesium Sulphate
disol vecLt ogother , evaporate
ignite to Oxide & Reduoe in Hydrogen self heat
and make 4 5 grm pockets for test.
J.V.Miller,
Division M nager.
«#■%
PS
?jf !(u.u.v
XX. A 91 9 •'•
(1
& « —f-r !"
<***■ Z-
4%zPl ^ j
'■'T) -"f ci
<5W-( * X-'
•Xc.— c <*&*
(. * etc-
u~» *•*■*•
av.1 *■*•*'
rfclcc.cc'
s,lj3 “f ‘
^<s-.(i->j..- O-X
v UJUIC-
■ I. . <n-
••m tQf'l
,« u^'i •* c9 fe rd
iL<vri( ^ \ / Lf
r£;r\
Lw^l ^ * f v
^ \ -» O', ' \
,tUu.« ‘S. ( ft.a. ,,/J
^U^'X ^ j c ,
v t U*** f
• w*^ {/^," . ^
JjZ
***
_Itr. Gliomas EcLiso
Iron Uix I.pprovuls on 8th run.
Copies to Ur. Sholes, Ur. O’Dair, Ur. Hunter ,Ur. Dunn.
Edison Chemioal Works Division
Silver lake, N.J.
November 7, 1919
TO: Mr. Thomas A. Edison
PROM: Mr. J. V. Miller
SUBJECT: Iron Mix
The following tabulations show the capaoity of 5 Gram Pockets
on the 8th and 16th Runs for Ten Batches of Iron Mix made during the
period between October Brd and October 16th, 1919:
Mix Number 49S4
Idg. Weight 22.4
Wt.per Dp. 44
8th Run 1780
16th Run *1680
4935 4936 4937
25.2 22,3 23.2
.47 .45 .46
1690 1760 1640
1785 1820 1730
4938 4939 4943
23.7 24.1 23.6
.5 52 .49
1735 1700 1770
1780 1795 1856
4944 4946 4946
24,2 23.3 23.8
.61 .49 .47
1766 1785 1710
1790 2115 1750
% above 1600 on 8th Run 100%
% " 1700 on 8th " 80%
% that failed to show gain on 16th over 8th Run 10%
*Duplioate pockets being run.
CPH:FTR
J. V. MILLER
Division Manager
MOsers. C. Hholos, O' Bair, Hunter, j)unn.
Iron !ftx Approvals on 8th run.
JVM - 1283
Hot, 11th 1919.
In answer to our . latter to 1ST, Edison of
Hot, 7th, 1919,' relative to panning Iron. on tho Oth run,
would inform you that Mr. Edison hj»B apyravod of this ruling
ahd hereafter wo will follow sane.
i'ho lottor with ^lr. Edison' s Approval will
: ho filod hero at Silver X/nko.
j.v.ransr,
Hi vision Manager.
JVii-MO.
Hr. Thomas A. EdiBon,
Orange, 1J.J.
Addition of Meroury to Iron Mix,
■■Jiffi - 1239.
°"llov, 13, 1919.
On February first last, v-e increased
the percentage of dope in our Iron llix to 4 fj. Since
then Beveral~tests have been run as to the relative value
of 4 ■;& as compared with 3 yl. Attached herewith aro
tabulations of the results of some of those tests, These
show that the increase in Lleroury makes eoarcely any
difference.
At our Manufacturing Committee Meeting
•it was recommended that we return to 3 ■';!> dope and before
we take such action we would like your approval, '.’.'ill you
kindly, therefore, place your approval on this letter and
return same to the writer.
Mr. C.E. Sholes, Hr. O'Dair, Hr. Hunter & Hr. Dunn.
Tabulations of Experiments attached.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Tabulations showing effoot of 3/o,
Ezqperimant No, 3069
No. Zfc Ztfi,
1 1640 1740 1696 1600 1696 1630
3 1530 1675 1540 1496 1420 1490
6 962 962 750 950 760 750
8 1636 1630 1600 1600 1580,1590
9 1870 1870 1860 1846 1775 1825
11 1790 1775 1760 1750 '1600 1700
14 1376 1200 1000 1187 987 1000
16 1800 1800 1790 1790 1650 1700
17 1850 2276 1860 1800.. 1670 1876
19 1800 1880 1736 1735 1680 1735
22 1462 1462 1276 1462 1425
24 1846 1875 1900 1780 1716 1826
and HgO on present Iron Mis.
Run
No. 3% 3 6%
89 1986 2000 1995 1980 1800 1875
91 2075 2000 1980 1880 1860 1860
94 1476 1462 1226 1312 1400 1225
96 2085 2095 1960 1970 1870 1860
97 1960199020661970 17861900
99 2050 2065 2050 1950 1675 1800
102 1437 1426 1000 1260 1437 1000
104 2176 2186 2150 2176 1875 1975
105 1965 2035 2000 1950 1776 1760
107 2180 2190 2100 2135 2100 2100
110 1600 1500 1050 1000 1500 1260
112 2040 2130 2000 2060 1890 1895
26 1745 1725 1740 1745
27. 1900
30 1250 1175 1000 1175
32 1856 1860 1830 1825
53 1970 1940 1896 1920
36 1796 1860 1845 1780
38 1500 1476 1337 1487
40 2000 2000 1890 1880
41 2100 2000 2000 1965
43 1990 1990 1990 1890
46 1600 1362 1287 1462
48 2000 1950 1950 1950
49 2015 1900 I960 1900
61 2000 2000 1965 1960
54 1725 1687 1500 1725
66 2000 2025 2000 2000
57 1965 1996 2000 1980
59 1950 1986 1960 1916
62 1662 1662 1600 1600
64 2025 2086 2075 2036
66 2000 2076 2076 1986
67 1955 1900 1925 1900
70 1712 1700 1626 1737
72 2085 2096 2085 2070
73 1960 2000 2026 1960
75 2200 2160 1500 1600
78 1750 1700 1700 1700
80 2000 2000 2036 2000
1730 1736 113 1990 2100
115 2030 2000
960 1000 118 1250 1250
1625 1675 120 2030 2100
1775 1835 121 1900 1980
1676 1776 123 2000 2086
1337 1350 126 1037 1037
1760 1775 128 2050 2085
1896 1950 129 2080 2090
1760 1800 131 1960 1976
1312 1250 134 875 1000
1780 1870 136 2080 2080
1780 1826 137 2000 1976
1760 I860 139 2000 1995
1500 1575 142 1025 1062
1800 1880 144 2000 2000
1975 1845146 1890 1900
1780 1820147 1835 189b1
1662 1500 160 1462 1487
1886 1926 162 2100 2100
1800 1895 163 1900 1800
1786 1795 165 1660 1690
1712 1600 168 1137 1162
1876 1936 160 210p 2100
1800 1800 161 1780 1776
1450 1412 163 2016 2000
1700 1612 166 1000 1060
1860 1976 168 2140 2125
2100 1975 1770 1975
1925 1685 1595 1800
1300 1250 1300 1312
2050 2080 1900 1900
1900 1900 1700 1760
2015 1900 1800 1870
1300 912 1276 1312
2060 2000 1875 1885
2090 1900 1700 1795
1960 1800 1700 1800
1250 750 1125 1062
2086 1960 1800 1955
2000 1900 1785 1900
1985 1900 1800 1800
1600 1125 1275 1350
2020 1900 1836 1900
1900 1875 1650 1690
1885 1650 1600 1700
1500 1500 1375 1450
2100 1976 1800 1975
1990 1730 1700 16B0'
1670 1600 1600 1626
1250 912 1050 .1162
2100 1925 1800 1930
1790 1600 1580 1615
220 1825 1760 1800
1250 687 1060 1037
2130 1900 1800 1900
81 2000 2025 2040
83 2000 2000 2000
86 1687 1687 1687
88 2200 2176 2180
2000 1900 1900 169
2050 1840 1860 171
1625 1687 1600 174
2180 2000 2080 176
1970 1966 1990 1600 1610 1700
1976 1950 1985al300 1600 1800
975 950 975 175 962 937
2080 2075 2070 1686 1675 1690
Cut out April 19, 1919.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Tabulations showing effect of i
Jtoperiaent #3095
Hun No. * Z'p
1 1600 1600
3 1200 1216
6 1037 1050
8 1350 1376
9 1575 1600
11 1390 1390
14 975 1000
16 1600 1485
17 1500 1500
19 1600 1500
23 1350 1350
24 1550 1655
25 1636 1600
27 1570 1500
30 1212 1225
32 1575 1675
23 1650 1676 '
35 1716 1725
38 1062 1000
40 1650 1660
41 1560 1560
43 1600 1500
45 1187 1212
46 1660 1580
49 1550 1460
61 1380 1390
and 4,5> HgO on present iron
4.5fr
1540 1600
1200 1255
1025 1025
1426 1416
1700 1700
1376 1345
962 975
1490 1480
1600 1500
1600 1625
1287 1312
1600 1540
1500 1536
1460 1500
1212 1137
1625 1660
1640 1660
1730 1740
1250 1250
1570 1650
1635 1690
1600 1500
1225 1187
1576 1546
1475 1400
1375 1385
Cut Out April 13, 1919,
Thomas A. Edison Laboratory,
Mr. lie a dower oft.
Orders for Mr. Edison.
/Dear Mr. lioadoworoft,
, Thoro has boon soma oonfusion us to
tho authority of ordoring material 'from ns on the strength
' of "Mr. Edison wants name iraraodiatoly”. At the mooting of
the Manufadturing Comiaittoe today tho matter was brought
up and I mado the following deoision.
That any orders bonafido from Mr. Edison
’ for material Bhould bo put through without any formal order or
^requisition and sent to Mr. Edison at tho earlioot possible
jtime in which we can got out tho material , not . sacrificing
quality, howevor.
■i That no ordors should bo aocoptod by
telephone or otherwise to do work on tho supposition that it
,1s for Ur. Edison, unless tho said order oomos through you.
: Will you thoroforo, hereafter, forward
to us any orders for mutorial for Ur. Edison or aooopt and
; approve of any ordors or requisitions tolophoned or sont to
us by other parties said to be ordoring for Mr. Ediaon.
Tiniest! wo hoar from you to tho contrary,
this will be tho ruling we shall make.
J.V.Uillor,
Division Manager.
JVM - 1237
Mov. 13th 1919.
Ur. Hunter and Mr. Burrows.
TO:Mr. Thomas A. Edison , Orange, H.J,
J.V. Miller, Edison Chemical Works Division.
PR:
RE:Our using NiokBl Disc Strippings.
JVM— 1820.
Sept, 18, 1920.
I talked this matter over with Mr . Hunter and he seemed to
think thiB would dissolve extremely slowly. My idea was that we might
put it in our dissolving tanks with Reduoed Niokel and gradually use it
up, hut Mr. Hunter thinks this would taka a very long time.
Why could not this material as well as any very poor ouulity
of reclaimed scrap Hake ho sent to Goldsmiths' Foundry in Newark and made
into Niokel Anodes, and used at the Storage Battery Company.
If you think that this would dissolve readily we would he
very glad to take it at once and use it up in our dissolving tanks. Also
that Niokel Powder you saw at our melting furnace could he sent to Newark
and made into anodes.
JTJdJl
I
J<¥jMiller,
) ing Divi'Bi-orj-J^anag e;
Jll fHUu
J. !.(.v\cttn:Tiitn©l
IxUfr?i-f IKo. \
cUUldHA 4u«3 h ■ Jl
^ o-i^fL Kjp< v\ ~ tcrt-ivUJ
EE—. '
qav:
... £%v
-Mr. P.A.Edison, Orange, H.J.
llota received this morning - order for motor.
■MO.ANDUM nJVM - 1867.
Oot. 13, 1920.
■!e dosiied a motor 35 H.P. for #3 Proctor Dryer. A requisition for
sane was made out ml sont to tho Purchasing Department of the Storrgo Battery
Company, Mr. F. Evans. Across tho face of thi3 order I wrote "try all
Edison Divisions'* .
Ur. Evans made inquiries and located a 35 H.P. Motor at the Disc
Record Division and that is tho motor which wo are to us o.
I Believe this covers the information you desire. Tie are
endeavoring to out out all purchases of material and equipment from
outside and trying to pickup fron the other Interests any material
si< - M ^
'I 'hedlw® IcL-du
^ wy
5X4 fc0"1^
Ca« -M<w- W^> tfvt/'"'J
ua JW< r~^
XjloA .U»<^-"
CC.tL&'S
|4b? a?' UKC Ujh* <’('
ti’li •'*
\ /'£' m ( <
l \
C.& ■/! 1 t j(lff t'l' !: • 4 U! ; ’•
v?
!.;*.«. u— >4- «...
^ — ~^y . I
%j ly^C'a^ .(< p" 4c/ v<(
J.*.ci.— ci iif-*ufl '■
4 f> <'!'/./ f •'•'•• p»''
fb^,cCj
U~
tr:4&
Laboratory.
October 16, 19SO.
Messrs Sagan,
Inhr,
Miller, 3. V.
Fallen,
Hioolal,
Sanborn.
Mr, Kelson wishes me to aa oar tain if your
use any olty water direct for purposes for which well
water would answer Just aa well.
Will you reply aa quickly as possible on
this sheet.
W. H. MKADOWCHOST
Of] tU
'Tloc.tr&usi Axj^avtr cUt attic*) (£%£« cJsv-tU frvtCcKj
1h $r'(Utp* xf P'm«.*pc,
t ..A- .jr . 'L±
Mr. W. Meadowcroft,
Laboratory.
Subject:- Cost, or City Water.
The Orange City Water is billed to us on a si id in'1 scale
of prices according to the service and consumption. Below are
figures showing the cost of Orange Water for the. month of
September 1920.
v PLAT/NGr
Water supplied to E.P.Wks’ Buildings for dr ink ing.purposes ,
527,250 gallons at a cost of .181 per M gallons. ' '
Water supplied to the Pumping Station to increase the
pressure of our water, 1,227,000 gallons at a cost of .14 per
m gallons.
Water supplied to the Boiler Plant, Eng
le-Creation Division, 13,284,750 gallons at
i. Gallons.
ine Room, and Disc
a cost of .1133 per
The cost of Orange Water previous, to July 1,1920 was .10
per M Gal Ions.
The 'West Orange Water Co. bill us: for the total amount
of water consumed on all services from them on a sliding scale
of prices according to the total consumption of these services.
During the month of September we consumed 2,455,500 gallons
and the average cost of this water was .19063 per M gallons.
This Company hes been granted an increase of 25% on their
old rates beginning October 1st, which will increase the above
f inures toabout .24 per M Gallons.
Construction & Maintenance Service Division
— Hr. Thoms A. Edison, Orange, H.J.
. oJVU— 1077.
j.V.Hlller, Edison Chemical W
- \lcx Department.
iri
i to \Joceivod October 18* yi92(
o-U.
Tfixa noto\$eoeivod October 18, '1920.
The wax shaved- off the rough cylinders .
maohino is oolleotod th^^jL tiedSporlodioally8and the wax remelted,
dust collector. 3“e.^ge^e^oe"r, ekcept possibly a very
I believe there, is no loos here whatsoevo , ^ some do;.' a when
sressr“s,s-. «£. 501 ns: «
U.“sr “ US’S nZ.SU’ - — •
pi^t ically^^oas of^ax^'in^tho'dopMtment'^as'every thing is recovered
by exhausters and remelted.
JVM-HG.
MEMORANDU
HATF 7lHA f‘ZO -
AVOID VERBAL MESSAGES
CONFIRM VERBAL UNDERSTANDINGS
SAMPLE OF £
ANALYSIS CARD
SILVERWARE LABORATORY
ANALYSIS No.
k±u±
Sampled by
l//v/'Vt>
'V'Vw l*f'rv'^'A/
Marks p _ ^
— vi-.-S - iStwwv1}
Shop order No.
Reported
'ii-is:
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CbecketU,)- _ .....
RESULTS
DETERMINATIO:
K O H- KyC Oj—t
SW? ~S-oi
tH-fO -S' HI
VM If k‘W
*VS7 S-li
fr-l-U
‘r'f-V'/ (..‘id
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frtfOfc 4*. Vi
fr k • o s'— 3 . a j‘
8-r 'i" -3.
SH-vy 6. « 8
r>-A
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/•a/ tv'.ay
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l' It ?'S,3|°/<C/i)i
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- ^«^iLv44»U^ - _
THE AIIOVK FIGUilES AHE TUB HESUI/IS OF MY VC
■’Kyti
I S i D-v
.KvS0,
•01 3?
> ooiS
Mr. Thomas A. Edison, Orange, K.J.
Answering your note reoeived this morning.
1st Item - "What ldnd of graphite Is It yon wait to dispose of."
This la a lot of graphite whlohwe recovered from old Nickel
^drate Mix. Same has been around here for years and Tie hare i
made several attests to sell same, but have never been offered
anything bat two or threo oenta a pound. It Is cpite finely x
powdered and not absolutely free from grit. We have tried to ‘
sell It to paint people, Dixons, Gautier, etc., without success.
2nd Item - Digiosal of parts of Proctor Dryer -
Possibly yon refer to an Item In our minutes itfiere v» refer to
the disposal of old typo drying pm oars*
These oars are for 28 pans where the present time we are using
Cars suitable for 44 pans*
_ discontinue any further ef forte to dispose of ttese
and hofd them for your deolslon.
J.V.Uiller,
Division Manager.
JVH - 1960.
Hot. 29, 1920.
j.v.uliler
Reduction of iron
200 11m. reduced per pot.
Reo.14,19 20.
61-6
submitting following into In sonaeotlcn with dOsage of method In making lion by ilydrogcn for regular iron Ulx.
ltorsbor of oxporlnunta made 6
« » lbs. iron Him made total 660
Old method - load end rsuuoe 100 lbe. rod irtn per pot
How method load cad roduco 800 lbs. red Iren per pot
Old method 2 pots 100 lb*, oaoh per furnace oreiy £2 lure*
Hew method 1 " 200 lbe. H " " "81 hw.
By making this change following eerlsge r.sy bo effected por year at 1000 oeU per day taels.
MO lbs. EDO lbs. unit
Iron ty tydrogea required for 1000 sells
Renter of r sun cod pots required
" " farnaoea "
Latxir voottind
6 fttroaoe operators 0 67j 6 pot qp«rfttor« 0 .18 pot
o to#
a .i i« n » s -I » " » 6 pot hslpors
82 SI#
88.6
14
8122.40
Asbestos required o .90 lb.
Bolts " x 8" 0 .0787 each
oil " 6 .10 gal.
Ualntonanoe on pots G 81.996 per pot
" " furnaces Q .106 per pot
tllso. maintenance cm pote ml fwnaeee, including nlpploa etc..
H .162 per pot
2281#
14.8
14
$77.40
21.48#
42.9
998 g.
819.96
$ 2.89
8 8.92
rom -
soring per lb. «f Iron by hydrogen
» " cell
14.8
9 men $40.00
21.40# 19.91
48.9 8.12
116 g. 17.40
19.97
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Shoot Blowing phyoloal cmi oleo
OB £0f| lb* pot roduotlon iron U
tor ivJnolnc 200 lba. rad oxldo
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
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. . f*t£.Cf" . (5 - ~ W :.....; • .
xt L_ x;7 ^-'"V.
Special Collections Series -- Chemical Production Records
Edison Chemical Works Records
C. F. Hunter Papers (1914-1926)
These documents consist primarily of technical notes, reports, and
interoffice communications exchanged between Edison and Charles Francis
(Frank) Hunter, superintendent of the Edison Chemical Works, a division of
the Edison Storage Battery Co. Also included are technical reports and
recommendations prepared for Hunter, which he forwarded to Edison for
approval. The dated items cover the years 1914, 1918, and 1920-1 926. There
are a number of undated notes exchanged between Edison and Hunter,
probably during the period 1921-1926. Other ESBCo engineers and
experimenters mentioned in the documents include G. J. Abrams, Joseph P.
Burke, Henry C. Egerton, Paul B. Kasakove, Harry C. Leonard, Benjamin F.
Morris, Walter H. Patterson, and Francis S. Schimerka, along with company
superintendent James F. Monahan and vice president and general manager
Frank D. Fagan.
The documents pertain primarily to the manufacture of the iron and
nickel mixes used in Edison's storage batteries, including tests of new
processes, equipment modifications, and cost reduction issues. There are
references to the nickel hydrate filter process, the acquisition of a Dorr
Classifier and a Swenson-Walker Continuous Crystallizer, the use of
reclaimed iron, and the activities of the Orange-Silver Lake technical
committee. Some of the notes in Edison's handwriting have been stamped on
the back with the date and the notation "Edison Storage Battery Co. Edison
Chemical Works Division.”
Approximately 80 percent of the documents have been selected,
including all those indicating Edison’s personal decision-making and oversight
of operations. Not selected are documents containing only test data or routine
daily information or items dating from later years when Edison no longer
played a direct role in management.
7
ytkwc Yf C ¥JL»
CX*ciL.i£*&v Sc-<.
i,
^Uu ~v|tc..««... vi<T.t,*rf
c{'^(2r«<W^\ itunU-*- • fU-Cv'^'
Hone.
XROH. 2896. Duplicate of Exp. Ho. 2809.
(Purpoee-To see effect of Ab, Arsenic, on iron mix.
/General-Iron.
iDetail -Make batoh of iron Bulphate so that finished
mix contains, .05$ .1 $ .25$ As.
'2896. Duplicate of Exp. Ho. 2810.
Purpose-To see effoct of Carbon on iron mix.
General-Iron.
■'Detail -Hoke batoh of iron sulphate so that finished
mix contains; .05$ .1$ .25$ Carbon.
/-2897 .
>Purposo-To see offeot of C2 at different Sp.Grs.
? General-Iron, crystals.
Detail -Use Ho. 1 crystals rodissolved and make to
gravity of 1395 at 95° with least amount of
boiling. Hake three experiments 2897 -1 -2 -3.
All batches to be run off at room temp, noting
hours stood and temp, on sheet.
289b.
PurpoBe-fo soe effect of 02 at different Sp.Grs.
General-Iron, crystals.
Detail -Use Ho. 1 crystals redissolvo and make tq,
gravity of 1325 at 96 with least amount of
boiling. Hake 3 experiments 2898-1 -2 -3.
All batches to be run. off at room temp, noting
hours stood and temp, on sheet.
2899.
Purpose -To see effect of C2 at different Sp.Grs.
General-Iron, crystals.
Detail -Use Ho.l crystals redissolve and make to
gravity of 1250 at 95 with least amount of
boiling. Hoke 3 experiments 2899-1 -2 -3.
All batches to bo run off at room tomp. noting
hours stood-and temp.
3000.
Purpose-To see effect of dissolving iron in H2804 at
1100 a.g. at 60°.
General-Iron, dissolving.
Detail -Make up batch of O.V. 1100 at 60 In 29 bldg, and
put through regular process.
3001.
Purpose-To Bee effeot of Selinium in iron mix.
General -Iron.
Detail -Make batoh of Iron sulphate bo that finished
mix contains .05$ .1$ .26$ Selinium.
Buplioate of Exp. 2811.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
i jU Ibt&W
_ [yL -
- - -
iij't s n <cgi pC* <*'•'
Is : rtX#6
,1 WL&&h ^ 5b).
,,|„^ j bcfri* £-*-'(■£* — ' . .
I l Cr<-0 V) Xj <> Lv^“f~ri t vvvc ■WaJt.
C .j£- A ^ Vt-.
^cccLc^ic % ^
•UC-A^ *1 >*f . I <*»....
H ( C (. Kvc «w
-Ac S ^io
Ill^^U-^to i^'r IWzUtf^ . /
-4-^1.^ £<<P-«-c (UccntY ^ f r'*?J
TO i Thomas A. Biiaon,
HBt Use of Old & Reclaimed Iron Mix
DATE: Ootober 27th 1920.
Respectfully submit, for your approral following mixtures of Iron Mix to be
shipped to storage Battery Company for use in Manufacture of regular production oells,
provided that such iron passes all eleotrioal and raeobanioal specifications.
SCHEME #1 To use New Iron Mix 86 %
Reolaimod Iron IS %
100 $
SCHEME #2 To use New Iron Mix 80 %
Reclaimed Iron 10 %
Old iron Mix 10 %
100 $
SCHEME #3 To use New Iron Mix 78 $
Reolaimod Iron 10 %
Old Iron Mix 10 $
Blower dust Mix 2 "n
100 %
In reference to above at present using.
The term "old Iron" as used hare denotes iron mix on hand with low eleotrt-
oal oapaoity due to high manganese content.
Aooompanying data sheets and charts show eleotrioal and meohanioal results
of tests made in relation to above.
VT1*.,,
Ml L AM PERES
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
MIL AMPERE 5
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
MU--/1MP£fTE5
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
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i>v4.:suro isnd ~n v.-ill kvo to use at least no to 100 .Vo:;, yv03.it
p/0
1 jr
K 1
• f,r"v
A y
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O. ?.I3J
Plant ovmorlntendcnl
Jfcylng ccaaidnrable trouble on Hldtol Side with Filter Press
Cannot Get eleotrioal onpaolty on J^drate like experiments.
mlt seems to be In leaving nose In tank end then making batoh
on top of it p this makes Itfdrate whits and ohalty, Instead of Creen and
crystalline as snail experiments *owod.
As we Increased the batch tie km 6000 to 9000 liters or from 2000
to 3000 lbs. Hiokel Hydrate, too an* settles oat and °ove*s the coils
(this tank has no agitator and a flat bottom) and o anno t boll dovm to
standard mark. Will go book to 6000 1 mark Wednesday , nr
material ont of tank* i ?
1 Get all
dhe batches m
e to date dhow i
Batch Ho.l- Used to olean filter preas lines,
'• Ho. 2- 3rd Hon 1156
- - 16th " 1265
Ho.C - 3rd
HOoB - 1st
Ho, 6 - 1st
1096 mads leaving part in tank
. <S>
All tubes usds by new man ( Patts-san) at Hesoaroh are little
lower than r^Snr ,^o berate nsy be little better then shown, bnt Is not
what It ought to be.
Hare had to unload 1 oar of soda. 1 oar of potash, had to haul 60,000
Lbs. of Iron for generators, and break up 70000 Lbs. Fe304 crystal •
Had to borrow labor fran Kdisen Stornge Battery Company ftr oie or t\« days
Will be Wedneeday to talk situation ovsr with yon end get a fbw
pointers. ,
Jd/klmm*,
I , j Plant Stporlntendant.
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September 27, 1921.
1. At the present time, there Is about a ton
to a ton and a half of oaustlo soda refill for E. 3. B.# stored
in one of the buildings of the wks. Che Primary Battery Div. is
unable to use it beoause they have no method of grinding small .
amounts, like in the oans, I believe that Ur. Hunter could use
this material in manufacture of nickel hydrate. Of course there
is a small amount of lithium contained in this ouastlo, but if Ur.
Hunter would use about 1% of this material, the % lithium w>uld be
so small that it would be almost negligible. By using this mater-
\ ial it would use up $100. wo rth of material, that will slowly
\deteriorate. J
- -2. In Building #6 there are two steam leaks in
the main to the Primary Bat/tery. One leak is a valve stem on the
main, and the other steam leak is a flange leek. Recommend that
the Power Service be notified of such condition exists.
/ i tupn
{ Ur. Edison asked that this be t
! sent to you. An extra oopy *
\ is enclosed for ytxir reply.
/ SO /6i **‘C*?U
* sdfrut A**-*' n
7-
(3L-. VVoefea. {^^'''^pjtrter IX, 1921.
Ur. Bdlsons ’"’
1 sent down to Hunter, Chem.
assorted niokol, made up as follows;
i., this morning, 2311#
Kloicel Sludge - - - - 860#
nickel Scrap, (Obsolete anodes )
Plating Dept. (Worn out anode straps ) - — 401#
(Shin nlolce 1 strippings )
Hlolcel Scrap from Basement t.A.E. lab. - —1050#
total — 2311#
bk/ueb
B. Kasakore.
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JAn.7.1922.
TO. T.A.EDISOH.
pbdu. c.f.hdnier.
NICKEL IMTHTOI COST.
COST PEE LB. 0031 128 M»
NICKEL METAL.
VITRIOL
CADSTIC SODA.
.26000
•om-
402633"
.30 293
.00000
EXPENSES.
HRPEEC IAT DON.
INSURANCE.
TAKES.
STEAM.
cuheent.
maintenance.
R) REMAN.
laboraiobx.
WATCHMAN.
HSUOVAL BOR IMPBD YEMENI
HANDLING AND SHIPPING.
RES. BOR INV. ADJUSTMENT.
.07702
.02X76
.01416
.00629
.00167
Q004I6
.00663
.03606
.00913
.00681
.07702
.02176
.01416
.00629
.00169
.00122
.00672
.01908
.20873
TOTAL COST BUTIPG NICKEL. .66382
SAVING HER LB.
JJT WE REOIEVED HIOKEL GRATIS WOULD SAVE SUM OF 260.00 PER IDOO LBS.
0OSTS BASED O0N MOUTHS OF OOT. AND NOV.
C.F.HDNTER.
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A^<eJUJL >^^,./ „._.^yt>
To i- Ur. F. D. Fagan ■>.„ February 22, 1922
Fromt- Ur. 0. F. Hunter
.u.«cT- He pairs at Ohemloal V/orks
To bring to your attention the conditions existing at the Chomioal Horks Division.
I am submitting the following Hot of repairs that should be attended to. These repairs
are neoossary, as in most oaaso Whorfe we have two produotlon units, one io now running,
the other standing idle waiting for repairs; If our present apparatus should fail us it
would seriously oripplo our produotlon. ^ -/
Dust Chamber for 3ulphate Drier
Boasting FurnaoQB
Boasting Furnace s
Boasting Furnaaas
Bed Iron Dr lore
Bod Iron Driors
Be duo ti on Furnaaes
Beduotlcn Furnaces
Bloks 1 Disaolvor
Bloks 1 Sulphate Lino
Bloks 1 Precipitating
Prootor Drier
Carpenters are now working on th:
To repair one (1) furnace,
Should order one (1) setting for another
fumaoe.
To rebuild ohimnoy on furnaoe, y
To repair same. vt. -■»
To Install new dust oolleotor.
To purchase sixteen (16) new rails.
To purchase ten (10) new pot covers.
o repair o
To install new lead line.
To lag boiling tank.
To put in good condition.
10.00 6V-
)0o00 X
50.00 *
75.00£rK
3o.oo crK
w.ooX^
30.00O\;
215.00
150,00oK
350.00
200.00 X ,
To oover 6" and 4" line in #111 Bldgi(
Gutters are In bad condition, should
have ouoldo oontraotor come and make
estimate for repairing oome. '
Buildings are badly in need ‘of paint, V
In some oases paint was taton off and j
labor stopped. Buildings have been ex-J
posed to weather for one and one half /
years (1 l/2 ). . ,
j'
The purpose of, this lotter is to enlighten the writer whether It is necessary
to get further authority or special appropreatlons for this maintenance work. He
would not etart all repairs at same time, but would extend them ovor a period of
several mouths.
(S4\
OFHiHS
September 7th, 1922.
FBOMl H. C. Egertcn
TO s Ur. Thomas A. Edison
SUBJECT 1 Uso -of Be-Claiwd- Iron.
A. short time ago Ur. Fagai in company with Messrs.
Hitohell, Hunter and myself took up with you the question
of using re-olalmed iron and higi manganese iron in making
up the iron mixes. At this time you said that none of the
old or re-olaimed iron should be used.
Since then we have conducted extensive tests to
determine the effect of re-olaimed iron and find that the
eleotrioal capacity is, if anything, slightly inoreased and
it is possible by using some of this iron to adjust the
loading weights more easily and more accurately.
7b should, accordingly.ipce ycrur approval to use as
high as IB per cent as covered by the following opacification
"For the purpose of making Iron Mixes which
will give more uniform loading weights and a
better feeding, it will be permissible to use
at option as high as IB per eent "BB-olaimed
Iron", provided, the resultant mix gives in the
five gram pocket on the eighth run an electrical
capacity of 1700 M.A.H.~
"Until conditions are stable Iron my be UBed as
"Outaido of LimitB", which gives 16B0 M.A.H. or
better.
"Ba-Olalm Iron is iron taken from old oells.treated
with sulphurue acid and which after treatment meets
the chemioal .requirements for new iron."
This will give Silver Lake a muoh greater latitude in
obtaining the proper leading oharaotorietioe and eleotrioal
oapaoity by mixing, ae you auggeated eome time ago whan you
explained to me your method of handling wood flour.
H. O.Egerton.
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^Wjk* i^U 'alWVKj-j-Us 3^ 10 flay 22, 1924.
Kr. 3diaon*-^^'<5^w^,/-'^'>vt/ — _
CPSi.’.TOAL WflnK8
In referenoo to u raoant report of nino on tho nso of a Dorr Clas¬
sifier In tho manufacture of JTIokol liydrato at tho Chemical Works, I
r.lsh to otato that I havo secured additional data which 1 tlilnk will
bo of lntoroat to sou.
py T-rovlouo raport, outllnod tho prooont rrocoon for tho manufoo-
turo of TTlokol Hydrato; tho work axpootod to bo performed by tho Dorr
Claoeiflor; tho roasons • hy tho Dorr Clasoiflor faUod to function ao
o-tpootod; off'irod suggestions for addltlon;il apparatus to tho proe-
ont installation to nnko it function properly and rake It a paying
proposition.
Tho part of tho method that vo sro lntorontod in at tiio prooont
timo io that point from whore tho "Salta" cone from tho Proctor I-rlor
on thru tho oo-callad proooos of "Cloaslfication."
(1) Washing tho "salts" froo from rodlw hydrato and sodiun sul¬
phate, by paroolatlns those "salts" in viator for a porlod oi' arprox-
icatoly 73 hours.
(2) PI oo ad in driar for a porlod of aTproxir.atoly - 36 hours.
(3) Cmohod ajjd Bcraanod, aftar which tho finoo sro ror.ovod by
a small "Dorr Classifier" (similar to tho non installation).
Tho abovo operation onnauneo about 0 hours.
(4) Pato rial io ro-driod for period of arproxlnataly 24 hours.
(5) lilxod and shipped.
Under our prooont method of operating, tho timo oonsunod in tho
procosn of "Clasnlfloatlon" of Hlckal Hydrato io on followss-
1 - Percolating - 72 hours
2 - Drying “ 36 "
3 - Crushing ond Sera on leg and Classifying - 8 "
4 - He-drying ”
140 " -
TOTAL.
In ordor to wash nodlve hydrato and sodivaa sulpliato froo from tho
JTiokol Hydrato and got it into a workable otato, tho prooont process
requires 0 double drying of approximately 60 hours ond tho total work¬
ing period of 140 hours.
Vs noar as I have boon able to ascertain, tho present procosn has
boon in existence for tho last ton yours. The only chan go nodo in re¬
cant years ?as tho installation of a sc oil Dorr Claoslfior to remove
tho "Siokel fin os." Other tuan tliat, tho procosn has remained tho
some.
Tim Eorr Classifier no installed at present, I roallso hno nothing to
roaoerend itaalf, yot by caking additional installation it in poaniblo to
not only retrieve tha noney nlroady axpen'dod but to fwrthar roduoa tho
ooot of nickol hydrato classifying and to out tho tico roquirod ty tho
present process.
Tho Classifier oquippod with a "bo aching Barrel", person and Uardin
-1U» with a conveyor, is arpoctod, lot - to wash tho nickol hydrato
froa fran KaOH and Hag 304; 2nd - Eacovo tho niokol hydrato flnoo; 3rd -
Soroan 40> of c. it oriel frea froa bulk of tho batch; 4th - Eo-grind coaroo
notarial and return it to tlio system.
It lo expected that it will raoulra 8 hours to moke a run of a
single batoh of 4000 lbs,
T!ho only added opo rations noooooary will bo the final drying and
t iring of tha hydrate.
Provided toe Classifier works as outlined, tho following caving will
be nodes
lot - Saving of 108 hours in length of tico of too process of
Claoal float ion.
2nd - dlinlnato a single drying period of 36 hours.
“ Combine tho operations of ’arcolating, crushing, soroonlng
and classifying#
4th - deduction in tho anount of labor necessary to carry on tho
PT00080.
If it is poeslblo to equip tills clasoifior to obtain tho abovo rooults
for an upprorinatu sun of $2000. it certainly appoars to bo on attraotivo
business proposition.
Comparing tho present nothod of nmrufooturo with tho rropooad uso of
olasnlfier, we have;
Present liothod
1 - Poroolato 72 hours in hot H2O
2 - Crush, dry and scroon
3 - Eero vo n laical hydrato flnoo
'-at, by classifier
Uno of Classifier
Dissolve by noohanioal noans
Crush and screen - wot.
Karova nickol hydrato fines
wot, by classifier.
(1) Sha washing out of too TiaOK and tha KagSOi, diffors in that tho proo-
ont r.otood is dona by poroolating wliilo proposed nothod is done by ce-
choaioal stirring of mass with a fresh supply of wator#
(2) She second differs in that by tha prosant nothod tho natorial is
crushed and soromod dry, while in tho proposal! Method, it will be
crushed end core mod wot.
(3) Tho removal of the niokol fin os will bo dono exactly in the pro¬
posed nothod, as is dono in tho proscmt ono.
Analysis of tho present nothod shows that too cuch tlno is roquirod
to oomplota tha olosalfloatlon of tho niokol hydrate.
l3ho proroaoU ohangos In thu praaont Installation of tho Dorr Clao-
slfior aacmn to offor a qulotc and oaoy chango frori our prooont nothod
of rconufaoturo, to a noro compact und abortor procosn.
Tnla procooo nuot bo oonoldarad for any now davolorcont uhoro
Hio'icol Hydrato lo to bo usod In storage battorioa booauao tlio
classification la tho "no ole of tho bottlo" in tho production roto of
this notarial.
Jonoph ?. 3ar!:o.
Hr. Edison:-
IWc
» M/y 24,* 1924* /,
Analysis of tha possible amount of saving that can be made by the «<-
new Installation of the Dorr Classifier, Bhows that It will pay for It
self In approximately six months time.
The following table is a comparison of labor required for differ¬
ent productions, by the present method and the proposed:
•Present Method 1250
Percolate and load drier 1
Pre-screen and crush 1
Dorr Washer 1
Final Screen 1
1500 1750
1 3
1 1
1 2
1 _ 1_
1250 1500 1750
Eliminate __
Eliminate
112
1 1 1
2 2 3
Present method requires four men, for 1250 and 1500 cells per day
and seven operators for 1750 cells per day.
If this same production Is maintained, two operators can do the
work under the proposed system and three operators for 1750 cells per
In other words, there la a saving of 50$ of labor required under
present production, which will Increase almost in the same proportion
with production. Under present production sohedule two operators will
be eliminated. At the rate of §4.50 par day, two operators eliminated
amounts to
§4.50 x 2 a §9.00 per day on labor
Savings on Heat
One drying operation of 36 hows duration will be eliminated. The
amount of money saved in this operation must beestlmated, which I have
done in the following manner:
1st - Estimate that it requires 4 lbs. of steam to evaporate moisture
from 1 lb. of nickel hydrate and there are approximately 4000 lbs. of
material to a batch.
4000 lbs. of Hydrate x 4 lbs. Of Bteam = 16,000 lbs.
required at 76# per 1000 lbs. of steam.
16 x .76 s §12.16 for Heat saved.
Money 3avad nn Material in Process
Estimated that it will take 30,000 lbs. of Hydrate out of prooess
and this material is valued at 40^ per lb., or a total value of
30,000 x .40 = §12,000
12,000 at 6$ = § 720 per year Interest.
4,1 of 4000 lbs. = 160 lbs. of fines do not
re-worked.
At this point In the process, nlokal hydrate Is worth 27# per lb.
and nickel value Is 15^.
27(<- 15(<z 12(1, represents labor and material value per
lb. of Nlokal Hydrate
160 lbs. z .12 = $19.20 saving by reducing production of
Nickel Hydrate Fines.
Tabulating these savings, we have the following savings per day;
labor - $ 9.00
Heat - 12.16
Interest - 2.60
Nickel Fines - 19.20
$42.96 Total Savings
per day.
ijstimating that this apparatus has oost the °ompany so far $5900
and it may oost $2000 for additional apparatus and experiments, there
would be a total of $8900 invested.
$8900 total oost {• $42.96 savings per day = 207 dayB
required to pay for Itself.
207 £ SO - 6 3/4 months
Providing the above apparatus with additional installations doeB
the wo rtc expected of It, this will Indeed be a fine proposition.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Hoveabor 25,1924.
Tot c.F.Hunter.
The testa were to be »ade“ allows.
(1) Three short tubes to 16 tn run.
121 ^b^Tsa^ J&ST— "Standard.1' K1(0H)2 #876.
for oo^arison. ftoB Dopr cla8Bifiar aaterial and given
[H mrZ a l« of A 4 cells from regular produotlon.for
ooaparlaon.
The results
(1)
12)
results! w-i i.ong tube test.
7.770 Grass .
830.0 U.A.H.
1088.6 M
1146.0 "
7.810 Graas.
968.5 M.A.H.
1076.0 "
1083.6 "
1687.6
1724.3
1732.6
1751.9
*875 _
10.439 -
1210.0 11.A.I
1437.7 "
1480.2 "
1475.0 "
1641.7 »
1664.3 "
1680.7 "
1640.3 n
1606.7 »
ns to red )
**1190.0 U.&.H.
1203.0 "
1762.1
1816.3
1820.2
m of short tubes.
2nd 10/14 30/16
“to first three runs have M WUV
as sells uure on regular formation with
160 other t
1.00
1.08
1,02
1.02
1.03
1,02
1.00
(O0NTIHUED)
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
TO i O.P.H.
Sot, KoH)2 Leached in Dorr Olasslfler^- Electrical Capacity, continued.
yro, r^l^l^otlsn, M_16467, _
• - TH^m' Pinal Pinal
jnd 10/14 30/16
ae oells were on regular fo nation witn
160 other oelle.
103.6 1»03 182*6 1*02 182*6
17at5 1*07 172.6 1*08 172.6
160.0 .98 160.0 .97 160.0
160.0 1.00 160.0 1*00 160.0
162.6 1.01 162.6 1.01 162.6
It will he noted that the three oelle sade iron Dorr Classifier -atorlal gave
a higher voltage to the saae oapaoity than the three regular oells.
short tube results
Average short tube weight
Average 16th run
Average factored 16th run
7.680 Grass.
1237.9 M.A.H.
1263.3 H.A.H.
a part of our standard process. ~
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Toj- c. P. Hunter, %r.
Subjects -Continuous Crystallizer
Dates- Jan. 29th., 1926.
3'zperinents conducted on the 10 foot Motion of Swenson Walker Contlnnons
Crystallizer for the past several nonths have proven by their results ttet it
would be to our advantage, in materially rednoing the oost of aanufaoturing iron
sulphate orystals, to dlBOontinue the present method of crystallizing in tanks
and install complete equipment for crystallizing continuously.
In running our experiments we have been at a disadvantage in so far as
oontlnuoua crystallizing ie oonoemed because of the fact that a 10 foot section,
being eo email, necessitated lte being used as a batch crystallizer rather than
continuously, but the results obtained ootq>led with the assurance of the Swenson
Evaporator Co., who base their statements on other installations, were cuoh as
to Justify ue in believing that there will be no material difference in the
results when equipment is used for continuous crystallizing.
The orystals produced are a fine sugar crystal of a fairly uniform size
Which will be an advantage over the present varied assortment ranging from fine
orystals to those two inches in diameter, -the only disadvantage being tho diff¬
iculty in feeding them to the sulphate drier, which will he overcome by the in¬
stallation of larger conveyors and knookers an tho rotaries.
An advantage whioh would alone justify the installation is tho shorter
time of the material in proooss, our experiments indicating that it will require
six hours in process by the continuous method while it now takes fran 36 to 48
hours, depending on the atmospheric temperature, a reduction of 30 to 42 bourn.
In our pland we have mado provisions for the future installation of a
Swenson Evaporator to replace the present -costly concentrating tank when it
is no longer serviceable , and this equipment with the oontlnu ua crystallizer
will release 6600 sq. ft. of floor space required by the preBent method.
The saving in steam is based or. the*- fact that wo have a yield of crystals
from the first solution by the continuous method of 72J> oerjpared to a yiold of
Qi% by the present tank method.
Attached are data sheets showing oost of installation savings and elec-
trioal tests whioh will justify the installation.
B. P. Uorris
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
. to,- ur. O.F. Huntor.
From,- A. H. Patterson.
3ui>Jeot|- A-4 OellB with Iron Mix #5760
Sate,- Jan. 29th., 1925.
Iron Mix #5760 mads from orystals in a continuous crystallizer was loaded into
"A" typo pookets and assembled into ^-4 cells.
She oell numbers were: 20125 M, 20126 IS, 20127 U.
Three regular oells assembled from regular production iron were run as comparison
with these cells. Those were, 20113 M, 20063 M, 19762 11.
Die loading qualities of Iron Mix #5760 are aB follows:
Max. Ho. of dumps 21
Min. HO. of dumps 15
Avo. 30. Of dumps 18
Ave. wgt. per pooket 8.39 gms.
Feeding - Slow
The six cells were run at the boginlng of a regular oiroult of 155 A-4 Cells.
Therefore all oells go exactly same treatment.
Die capacities shorn were: Bun 1, 2, 3, 4- formation runs.
Special Cells Regular Cells
Run #4 15 ftr. charge.
A. H. Volts
180 .98
180 .96
180 .92
.953
Rote voltage in favor of speaial colls.
Run #5 15 hr. charge.
20 127 U 172.6 1.05 20113 IS 172.5 1.04
20126 U 172.5 1.07 20063 M 172.5 1.03
20125 U 172.5 1.05 /19762 U 172.5 1.04
1.057 1.037
End voltage not carried to 1.0 volt beoause remainder of olrouit going out
fast. Rote voltage still in favor of speoial colls.
Bun #6 7 hr. charge.
20127 U 160 1.03 20113 M 160
20126 U 150 .96 20063 M 160
20125 U 150 _ 19762 M 150
A. H. Vol ts
20127 M 180 .98 20113 U
20126 It 180 1.00 20063 H
20126 M 180 .99 19762 M
.99
This
was unsatisfactory.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Only sufficient readings to control oells w
20113 II 162. 6
20063 11 152.5
19762 u 152.5
s shown that special oells
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Ihe final run was made to ohook oapaoities as this run will give more aoourate
results.
Bun #12 7 hr. cargo
Speolal Cells
A. H. Volts
20127 U 157.5 .98
20126 11 157.5 1.01
20125 U 167.5 1.02
Ave. Volts 1.002
Regular Cells
A. H. Volts
20113 U 157.5 . .99
20063 li 157.5 .95
19762 11 . 15T.6 1.00
Ave. Volts .98
From the foregoing you will note that in every case there is a slight but
definitely high voltnge to some oapaoities in favor of the speoial oells.
This indioatos that with all other items kept the same the difference is
due to the iron.
Of oourse the best iB only a limited ohook on what oan je expooted from the
oells as a more definite result could only be obtained by more run with a large group
of oellB.
From the foregoing results it is evident that on the very limited test we have
given this iron the oells with the speolal iron have a somewhat better voltage than
the regular oolls built at the same time.
It is understood that the Illetel plates were from rogular produotion, and were
from the same box, thus making the iron plates tho only parts different.
based on tho foregoing rosults and after considering present produot I would
say that oells with iron #5760 are better thun our current produot. A more thorough
and complete test will oe neoossary to get a comparison with other oells.
¥• H. Patterson.
. A
Hr. Hunter was up yesterday afternoon and spent some time
in the Annealing Department and tolls me that while he has not
yet completed his investigation, ho knows that wo turned out
good 'work yesterday.
Investigation will bo continued and detail report will be
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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
To: C.F.Hunter.
From: H.O. Leonard. J U H E
2nd,
Subject: Ni(0H)2 ** Elimination of Intermediate 1985.
Drying and Final Washing.
In order to establish the fact that the elimination of the Intermediate Drying
operation can be accomplished and mate possible the combining of Leaching (peroolation
of El(OH)g salts) .Final Drying .Crushing and Final Mixing in dosed circuit for the pur¬
pose of labor saying.steam saving and the further elimination of considerable equipment,
the following tests were suooessfully carried out;
Representative 500 pound portions of 30 suooessive lots of regular Niekel Hydrate
previously leaohed in Dorr Classifier ,v»re dried, orushed .mixed and sampled in the usual
manner for Short tube loading weight and electrical run tests.
Results of those tests compared with results on the some lots which were regularly
processed, are shown below.
Regular
Special
Av.l6th Run. Av.Fnotored 16th.
(M.A.H. ) (M.A.H.l
7.652 1212 1278
7.621 1208 1282
Comparative Ro-Tap Soreen teste on the same materials , ore as follows:
.Regular,
Special.
Thru 80
" 100
•' 160
— On 35 Mesh
it 48 <i
'* 65 "
»100 "
•' 150 "
n 200 "
Total
33.97$
17.48
14.79
6.26
7.40
99.72$
34.17$
16.99
14.33
12.07
8.17
Screen test results show no material change In the physical quality of the
finished product.
To further prove the material bo produced was ^ood In all respects .to the
hydrate as presently produoed.it was decided to have the following teste carried out by
the Reaearoh Dept, of the B.S.B.Co,:
(1) Regular short tube teat on 3 tubes to 16th run, In same circuit with standard
H1(0H)2 #876.
(2) Regular long tube test on 10 tubes to 16th run, In Bame circuit with Standard
IT1(0H)2 #876.
(3) 3-A4 Cells from Lot #S-26-82,to be given 10 mns with a like number of A4 cells
from regular production, for comparison.
Results wave as follows:
(see next page )
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
6/2/26.
: Ni(0H)2 ** Elimination of Intermediate
Drying and Pinal Washing, ( continued)
Short Tube test i—
Standard AB75.
let Run
2nd Run
3rd Run
14th Run
15th Run
16th Run
7.763 Gm3.
.969 M.A.H.
1240
1241
1251
long Tube Test:-
» 129 5
'• 1240
» 1241
Standard #875.
1292
1303
1380
Tube Wt . — (Active Material) 10.628 Gain.
Hydrate - Wt.per Dump .03006 ana.
Plaice — Wt.per Dump .00448 "
Humber of Dumps 899.5
1st Run 1837.6 H.A.H.
2nd •• 1441.8 “
3rd '• 1630.9 "
4th " 1494.2 •'
5 th '• 1639.1 >'
6th « 1697.7 "
7th •< 1647.2 »
8th " 1601.7 ■
9th " 1629.2 "
10th " 1666.2 "
Hth » 1677.1 "
12th •' 1688.9 "
13th " 1711.2 ”
14th " 1686.8 "
16th >' 1745.9 »
16th " 1739.6 "
A4 Cell Taatj-
Three cells made up with special Niokel Hydrate 3-26-82 raid eiven regular format ion,
then.10 additional runs in comparison with 3 cells plated at random from regular production.
The special oella were .numbers 3661 H, 3662 H, 3663 H and the regular cells were .numbers
3681 H, 3684 H, 3634 H.
The following figures give the average voltage for a given capacity of the two groups
of oella on all runs on Which readings were totem
262.0
1200.1 M.A.H
1628.9 »
1636.2 "
1668 . 3 «
1662.8 "
1692.6 '•
1711.9 »
1716.5 "
1718.3 '•
1786.2 "
1714.8 '•
1733.9 »
1749.3 "
1703.9 "
1766.1 "
1760.9 *'
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
p.$3.
Toj C.F.H.
From: H.C.L.
6/2/25/
Sub. s Nl(0H)2 ** Elimination of Intermediate
Drying and Final Washing, (oontlnted)
Charge.
Bun Wo. Hours. Bats.
Discharge
Bate.
Ampere Terminal voltage.
Hours. s-25-82. Regular.
1 48 15 30)
2 10/14 30/15 30)
3 10/14 30/l5 30)
ID ISADINGS ' TAKER
( FORMATION RUNS)
4 15
6 16
6 7
7 7
8 7
9 7
10 16
11 16
12 16
13 7
14 7
16 7
16 7
30 30
30 30
30 30
30 30
30 30
30 30
30 30
30 30
30 30
30 30
30 30
30 30
30 30
172.5 1.043
172.6 .870
160.0 1.017
162.6 S980
167.6 1.010
160.0 1.067
172.6 .923
187.6 .910
180.0 1.003
160.0 1.023
160.0 .970
162.5 .900
166.0 1.020
1.037
.853
1.007
1.050
.673
.657
.960
.942
.747
.737
.960
It la quite apparent from the results obtained on short tube .long tuba and A.4 Cell
tests .that hydrate produoed by the same method as S-25-82 .has better capacity characteristics
than either Standard Hydrate #875,or the hydrate from regular production used In the man¬
ufacture of the regular A4 cells which were seleoted at random for the test. The special
hydrate Is normal in every respect os to loading .number of dumps .dranpweight .etc. .and
representative of the regular product UBed at Orange for a considerable length of timo.
Any change desired in the latter instances would be of a minor nature and oan be accomplished
by the oo-operation of Edison Chemical Works and Edison Storage Battery Co.
Prior to the use of Dorr Classifier for leeching, elimination of Intermediate Drying
and Final Washing after crushing would have been impossible on account of large percentage
of fines retained in the hydrate by the method of percolating hot distilled water through
the hydrate and then through muslin Which acted, as a filter medium preventing the removal
of fines at that point.
Screen tests also show that praotioally the same amount of fines is produced in the
final drying, screening .mining and drumning operations after final washing, as wore present
after crushing and before final washing, therefore .the final washing after orushing would
seem superfluous.
The final washing .while seemingly of no material benefit ltv-oo-far aB the quality of
the product 1b concerned, causes a 2,26$ loss of material vJiioh oon be saved if said final
washing is eliminated.
The proposed closed olrcuit method, of which the now Dorr Classifier is the first link,
leaching of Nickel Hydrate Salts, drying, orushing ua& final mixing operations,
eliminating one intermediate drying operation with its equipment of oars and pans, the rollo
and screens as presently laid out with labor viiloh will be unnecessary if the proposed
mstbod is adopted and the final washing operation viiioh inoludss one Dorr Classifier and
Thiokener.will mnkm the following eavlngB on Steam, tabor and Interest on money released,
at 1600 cells product ion, per day t (see next page)
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
P.#4.
TO! C.F.H.
From: H.C.L.
6/2/25.
Sub.; Ni(0H)2 ** Elimination of Intermediate
Drying and Final Washing, (continued)
labor, (4 men at 66j<,per hour), per diy
Steam, (17520 pounds at 104, per thousand), per day
Total, per day
$ 17.60
12.26
$ 29.86
300 Days at $39.86, per day
Interest on $8958.00 at 6$,per annum
Interest on 26000 pounds hydrate in stock at 40^ per pound, at 6%
Actual savings, y*,a.r~.
$ 8968.00
537.48
624.00
$ 10119.48
If the amount of money released by elimination of stook In process could ho considered,
there would he a further saving of $10400.00 .making a total Initial saving for the first
year amounting to $20519.48.
The prohahle coat of equipment .plus installation, to moke the closed olroult possible,
should not exceed $15000.00.
The Intermediate drying operation con he eliminated at once, hut there can he no labor
saving until the process has been combined in closed circuit.
Several other advantages of the dosed circuit method, are
Elimination of #5 and #6 tunnels with large Sturtevant Blower ,10 H.P. motor end several
thousand foet of l-J" Y/.I.pipe.
Elimination of 34 — 44 pan oars.
Elimination of #1,2,3, and 4 tunnel a, making available much floor space for further
shortening of operations.
Elimination of vwighlng and handling operations.
Elimination of a coat step.
Elimination of 10 foot Dorr Olassifler and Thickener .with motors and hoist.
The foregoing information is for the purpose of obtaining the proper permission to
eliminate the intermediate drying of Miokel Hydrate at onoe and to prooeed to finality
with the proposed alosed circuit method.
Attached, find rough flow-plans of present and proposed olosed circuit method.
Harry CiLeonard.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
<5-/V» & <y//" *sa- ) c* /> W e/'/r'S
0.7*2- •
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
SB
//<z/'Aoc/
/Yote-: ry t/h inj //? c?as<Lc/
To- Hr. Ohas. Edison
From- 0. F. Hunter .....Aug. 10, 1925
Obsolete Proctor Drier-
On Deo. 1, 1919 we purohased a Prootor drier for drying our
Niokel hydrate. 1%) to this time it has never been erected, and we
would like to dispose of same.
) bring our drying capacity up to
tae rated at 1000 cells oapaoity
dried at the rate of 2000 cells
It was originally purchased t
3000 cells per day, as each drier
per day -and in using two driers we
per day.
In 1921 we changed the Nickel process and increased the drying
capacity to 1500 oells per drier, or we oan now dry at the rate of
1500 cells per day, or with the two driers wo oan now dry 3000 cells
per day/if necessary to mate 3500 cells per day we oould run drier
on Sunday to tide over any increased production over the 3000 colls
per day mark.
Attached sheets are list of parts :
oould be used thruout the Edison Plants
oould use considerable of the pipe.
Following data shows dominant
E. Stringfellow.
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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Ur. C. ?. Hunter:-
I liave learned thnt Solvay Caustic Soda 76f5, has lioen approved
by the U.S. Pharmacopeia.
I am wondering if it would not he possible for you at some
tine to arrange to use some of this Caustic Soda in a
sanrnle hatch of your product, to determine if the 76;?
cannot he used in place of the Electrolytic 70';, Which
costs us $ 3. CO per ton more than the standard price for
regular grade Caustic Soda.
Our contract period will he up the end of this year, and if
such a test could he arranged, now is the time to do it
before the contract period which begins early in Decem¬
ber arrives.
\L-/^CO ULT <X/o
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Approred.
,on- Ur. T. A. Edison
From 0. F. Hunter June 10th. 1926.
=T_ Swenson -Walker Oontlnuous Crystallizer
Submit tine following data on Swons on-Walker Orystalllzer.
ur. toTa made and reoslTed oomplete results on 6 batohes made on above
' dm. Iron Mix pookets are as follows.
apparatus. She results
Batch Ho.
Run 1
» 2
« 3
"3 8
8249 8262
1870 1678
1800 1660
1713 1640
1206 1163
1269 1206
1419 1250
1915 1875
1788 1830
8270 8276
1748 18 00
1690 1643
1640 1648
1106 1231
1312 1256
1339 1326
1883 1825
1828 1743
8289
1663
1620
1603
1181
1287
1425
1840
1710
Average .
1756")
1687 f
1649
1177~)
1266
1352 J)
1868
178 OJ
Is oul
• i-ov\)
The loading qualities of this iron meets all
when cheoked against standard iron mix on a standard ire
the specifications required
>n load maohlne at Silver Lake.
Batoh Ho.
Pooket Weight
Uin. & Max. Rumps
Average Rumps.
8249 8262
8.03 8.00
16-23 14-19
19 16.5
8270 8276
8.13 8.07
15-20 14-20
17.5 17.
8289
8.09
16-21
18.
Therefore with your approval we would like to incorporate the Swenson
Walker Contiguous Iron Sulphate Crystallizer as part of our regular production
apparatus at the Ohemioal Works.
'643'
Approved for use,
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Special Collections Series -- Chemical Production Records
Edison Chemical Works Records
W. J. O'Dair Papers (1919-1920)
These documents consist primarily of daily reports and communications
prepared for Edison by William J. O'Dair, product engineer at the Edison
Storage Battery Co. The dated items cover the years 1919 and 1920. There
are also a few undated items from the same period. Included are production
testing data on tubes, pockets, and other battery components, along with
Edison's notations concerning quality issues. Also included are technical
notes from Edison to O'Dair, containing questions, experimental instructions,
and requests for materials. Other ESBCo employees mentioned in the
documents include researchers Frederick W. Cunningham, Walter H.
Patterson, George J. Peck, and Dwight S. Sargent, as well as vice president
and general manager Charles E. Sholes. Some of the notes in Edison's
handwriting have been stamped on the back with the date and the notation
"Edison Storage Battery Co. Product Eng'g Dept." Many of the
communications exchanged between Edison and O'Dair were originally
fastened together, accompanied by notes from O'Dair indicating that they
were being sent to Sholes to "note and return."
All of the documents have been selected except for a few fragments and
notes that contain no substantive information.
EDISON STORAGE BATTERY COMPANY
'j
-• ' , *- f/
J#
as high as(15J, of
»ov4 M
flake ((thioknesB of
». r' <y
Regarding the low oapaelty^WaoJ^^fttubee, I JggU-*- , f
vise that this oondition has been appreciated, . and iaWIr^ due to wiaok j ^
of control over the nickel flaka plating process* Our loading .weight onf^3_J
has risen at various periods from February 15th to date to as hi^ asfl5^ of
the total amount of active material in tubes; -L^
should *a >0v<j4uL) 0* plUw
fau been oa£Xby irregulk and heavy flak? (%hiolmees of
of .009] in seme oases . and °^aBtr fower^
ing. The improper drying has been corrected new
the drying room. In regard to the n, gj ,meven thick- _
anodes has compelled us to use an^ss^Io gfi. still j§ffill£C£2&t fcrvrSw'*' ®
injsrs rirr^^t^.rr0.. *. — . «.*. ... i,«»
for the month of Aprilj^>
CwnhMferenoe to the heavy flake, it was found that the time limit
— - »
"SSHifSiEf's? SsrSSfS-'
(^odtW^ ^ 4u55 ». j* °*Dalr
2atoJ»3£.Q» J.313.
mjiaoB sxohaqk avmax caatHiire.'
Wily Report.
Storage Battery — wnsoat capacity aftor formation.
Average ampere
hour capacity
to 1. volt of
10jJ of loraeit
oeUa on each
aet formed and
Mat to otooJc.
K2I30S STCBAOS B4.T2EBT COStEiHX.
Bally Ueport.
(3
St— CO Battarloa — Lo—t capacity after fonaatlon.
, bfew r '
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..©m ._ ^Lvo ^
— (AJTV’LJtt^A^^ ttL-^yiC~
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Ljt^LsD
oJUr_
Hated Capacity 1QQ 125 160 178 225 276 360 850 37.6 62.6 76 87.6 112.5
04 05 06 07
Gil 014 018
J5 J6 J7 J9
Average ampere
Hour capacity
to 1. volt o f
1<# of lowest
cells on each
set formed and
sent to stock-
EDISON STORAGE BATTERY COMPANY
Memorandum
June 11,1919.
SUBJECT j G.S.ThermoBtatio liatal.
llr. llaadoworofts
A' "
A«?L
Attached ia & Bample of Thermo-static natal and litar-
atura oonoemins tha a ana. I spoke to Ur. Edison about this today and
ha seamed interested in it.
As it is tha only sample and tha only literature I have,
X would request that it be returned.
ED I SOW STORAGE BATTERY COMPANY.
Daily Report.
Date.
Storage Batteries — lowest capacity after formation.
June. 16. . .191.9..... . .
Hated Capacity 112.6 160 187.5 226 SCO 375 450 37.5 75 112.5 18.75
jjTy^ A3 A4 A5 A6 AS A10 A12 B2 B4 B6 B1
Kao.
\
Storage Batteries - S owe at capacity after formation.
Bated Capaolty 112.6 160 187.6 i
376 460 18.76 37.6 76 112.6
AS A4 A6 A6 AS A10 A12 B1 £2 B4
X 337"~
hour oapaclty
375 ,
10# of loirest
oelle on eaoh
set formed and
sent to stook.
GlX l^Ls- ^-“1
Jsski^ ‘X"'-
Bated Capaolty
100 126 160 176 226 276 350 450 37.6 62.6 75 87.6 112.6
type
04 06 06 07 09 011 014 018 J3 JB J6 J7 J9
Average ampere
hour oapaclty
to 1. volt of
10# of lowest
oelle on eaoh
set formed and
sent to stook.
1«C . ‘ ^ W / - ; — : — -I ---
,w; ■y)ll£fCa.v,. JS5L#-**'
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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
/ ' -^2^
fsT2,%
Bept. IX, 193.9.
FROM: W. J. O'Dair
TO: Mr. Pederson, Chem. Lab.
SURJECT: Memo. from Mr. T. A, Edieon.
I .have received the following memo, from
Hr. T. A. Ed in on: -
0'JJai.r -
It lookB to me that if you bring density
of Fickel Flake Current below 100 uirperes per foot
that you vill Buve considerably more in costs of current
than you will lose by increased wuges, etc.
Edison.
’"ill you kindly prepare for Kr, Edisons' inform¬
ation dutu which will show the correct relation between
current cost, as affected by current density,- time, re¬
quired to slate one stripping and poundB per crane pro¬
duced. These relations might be rKpresoed in graphic
form as follows:
, Horizontal Ordinate Vertioal Ordinate
Time required for plating Current Density.
Pounds produced per crane Time required for plating.
If 'there is any other, information will oh you
believe would make thic clear X think it would be well to
include it in your reply.
W. J. 0 ’Bair ,
_ Product Engineer.
DAILY REPORT
: RESEARC-H DEPARTMENT
EDISON STORAGE BATTERY COMPANY
SILVER LAKE- HYDRATE (Short Tabes)
Hydrate Numbers .
Tube Numbers _
V«" FAi JTORY LONG Tli»E8y a/ia "
Hydrate Numbers . . i v ' . . -
Tube Numbers . . \. - _ ^Jl1_L/X...v . . .
SILVER LAKE POCKETS (5-grams) SILVER. LAKE
Mix Nnmhnrs 4938, .4039 -.'..L ’ ’ . Z—
, Pocket Numbers.^93.a_r„_a9.,„.i_A_2.JL..x* - - •...- -
Capacity nt 750 M. A. r Capacity. at 300,M. A.. ,,, 0 , Capacity at 7S(
Minimum . RSZ.'.-rr. . 1857 . —.1630 . T7....J2Z4E.. - - -
Average . 921 c-.._..1912..._ ; '-.-ISMu-— jg.V8.9... .....
• Maximum 1000 - 10T6..... -
'FA6T0'RY Sockets ,(8-gramsV
Mix NumberS__...4S02.,_.4902..A..AOrap,_A90.7.>..A9.Q8 - £LL "T“
Pocket Numbers _ J243_tp_7.26fi__x -
SILVER. LAKE POCKETS (8-grams)
Minimum . ...... .7..*8.0Q.: •’1847' ' •- "UUi r;': : •
Average ,..,.aTMR. . r -.2:888- .™.XS6S_C-.„?-lI7. .
Maximum _ 8.800. ....1212 - — .26.8.7..... 24DQ._._-...„.3.5.92L
SINGLE IRON PLATES (B Type)
.•Mix Numbers.: . i . . . — Mix Proportions -
Plate Numbers - - - —
:!Cfllla.-7.S5l'.;..52..iiSji. .s.oluttcin ..rsnattB.d..fliid...wUl..:r
OUt'.O'lSt/. iT ■
,.;m..o9iiA.jRiii,i...xiw....<i(i.c::2-i^ — . . vrtT;4
- /(jLja,t~JLaSi .
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- '■/*-**' k^4-
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— ^
(-f£|
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A'K
\j
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c^-^JC^Un
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^ rc^ ** ^
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fjju nMyusv
October £9, 1919.
Ur» i' .H.tuttorooa, Rosoaroh Bepartmnnt.
Hr. H. Ohaaiborlaln, Repair department.
Hr. B.a.airgent, Coll loot Boportment.
Thn following note from Itr. Edison la oolf-oxplanntory,-
"O'Bnln
When you oo r.o coroes a lot of very old oella that toot below 1£0
for A-IOur - please rernoyo the ml* from tho tuboo and let mo have it.
While I oan regenerate the Si (OH) from a 140 cell. It nay. be X oan't
Jf. 14 from 00110 Hiving only lot) Qnp.houra oapaoity. Therefore would
liite mix from 10 or £0 very low oollo. Don't give mo oolls whoro low is
duo to eoid or othor abnormal oonditiona, but thooo whloh have naturally
e ond put explanatory onrdB on tho mixes you send.
gone low. He s
If you havo any oollo or know of any that ore now In 3rd oluea
stook, in 2nd olase etook or in Rosouroh nopt. whloh will meet thoso roquiro-
monte, please forward to Ur. look, wlio will remove niokol oxldo and flake.
Plouso bo sure about aoid or othor unusual condition, and also about onptoity
of oolls oelooted. Thoro ohould bo not less than ton oells solooted.
'.V.J.O’Bair
Copy to Hr. look.
Ur. Peoki
When these oelle are delivered,, will you plaaae remove and
arrange for delivery to T.A.E. Laboratory on B.U. order. Charge to
I.A.E.pereonal.
ff.J.O'Balr
DAILY REPORT ’•
RESEARCH DEPARTMENT
EDISON STORAGE BATTBRY COMPANY
. Oo.h.oher...2.9., . 1 91 ..9...
SILVER LAKE HYDRATE (Short Tubes)
Hydrate Numbers .
Tube Numbers _
Alter io Hot Runs
\
FACTORY LONG TUBES
Hydrate Numbers'....
Tube Numbers _
SILVER LAKE POCKETS (5-grams)
Mix Numbers _ - _
SILVER LAKE -POCKETS (8-grams)
Pocket Numbers_pAa4a_=Jut...?^a;. x..--.
FACTORY POCKETS (8-grams)
SINGLE IRON PLATES (B Type)
. ....I... _ Mix Proportions-.... — _J_
)c .Cells 'wd.il tovV soVitllonlj^^On^ll’Y
DAILY REPORT
RESEARCH DEPARTMENT
BDISON STORAGE BATTERY COMPANY
1566
joliis.-.-aa - Oo.tohar...ai, . 191ft.. .
SILVER LAKE HYDRATE (Short Tubes)
weight Run 1 Run 2 Run 3
.6*216. _ 28*76 2.0*44. 2.0*84 - 32.39
Remarks
. x.—All-eells-wlll-pun-on — : — . . - .
xx All oelle will run on
_ ; _ _ _ _ _ _ A* 8* Cook.
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' -f) DAILY REPORT
- v A r vlauA-^JRESEARCH DEPARTMENT
lYVt IflU/T/ ) - JfDjSON STORAGE UATTERY COMPANY
... irT«
LJSKe HYDRATE (Short Tube's)
Hydrate Numbers.Z£B9*...609,...6S?.*.JTJ3*.Jl?^J1.4^..81.8..i . .
Tube Numbers . ,a?.g.. to. l21.J5...tq.iri;.20..to..Z2J1::.?§J.J
Min . . Si ™ ^ . .
Maximum ...7.770: _ 1 ’ l8B°- - )• ,v - ' '.121/7 .,- ■4263-01-
TUBES */"i« "
Hydrate Numbers - ! — - 1 — o . — * — •■■-■■■-- -
Tube Numbers _ _ ;••-•— -
Loading 3rd run Loading" •"
SILVER LAKE POCKETS .(5,grams). SILVER LAKE. POCKETS (8-grams)
Mix NumberS__!l9.a6-R>-A936...R.1r>.-4919.,_4953,j 49.6X„.jl9.6.2. - . . .
Pocket Numbers., AftM-B. ,«»
Capacity at 750 M.A. Capacity at JOo’m.A. ' ’Capacity at S.M;| Capacity at 400 M.j
• MiSimuni .liioj&J-.i96^:i 1 ■ * aaaKl-d • - . ^ . -
Average . ..l,.l|5-_'?....|PM.-Lr ) — - — . . . — -
/;•]! FACTORY POCKETS (8-grams>"!: ;
M ix N umbers - 1 - - - - - jx - - — .
....F^)jOket.Num.bfir§.-.,,,--v1 .„,.....£L.a!L\'Lt-vfeTi~
Loading Capacity at 750 M.A. Capacity at 400 M.A.
‘'•'SINGLE IRON PLATES (B 'Type)
L:.: _ Mix Proportions — - ...
_ Ati have anlutlon renflweAS»nfl,iw,aia
All oellslwlll run on - • ’ f
. Malt ar....R«... Patterson...
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DAILY. REPORT
RESEARCH DEPARTMENT
EDISON STORAGE BATTBRYr COMPANY
• SILVER LAKE HYDRATE (Short Tubes)-
Hydrate Numbers . 7.7p.,!...87B.,....93.6.,...S58 . . . . .
Tube Numbers _ .R«K'«.l.QQfi4_tp.._15.._x _ _
. March 18, _ 194..?.
_
1183
1267 • ’ :
. imo: -.ii>,2 .
1218 - 1239
1270 - 1310
Hydrate Numbers .
Tube Numbers -
y4» FACTORY LONG TUBES
SILVER LAKE POCKETS (5-grams)
Mix Numbers___ -
Pocket Numbers - J.....'..... -
Capacity at 750 M. A. * Cupacity at 31
SILVER LAKE POCKETS (8-grams)
MIx'Tjumbers
PlatelMunibersi—
FACTORY POCKETS (8-grams)
:S(NGLE IRON vPj-ATES (B Type)
...I. j.T.-L:' _ Mix Proportions _ _
. All—SSlla 111. IW on e*oopt..Jfe8.,...lQQ.Pl..l..ci-13.....
Remarks
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
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Edison Chemical Works Records
Other Experimenters (1914-1927)
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manufacturing processes and performance tests for storage batteries. The
experimenters mentioned include employees John V. Miller, Ludwig F. (Louis)
Ott, and Arthur Pedersen, as well as consulting engineer Lamar Lyndon.
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Wax Division 1924-1925
These documents, which date from January-March 1924 and
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formulation for use on the recording cylinders of the Ediphone (Edison's
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Hunter, and Joseph S. Wheelan.
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WAX DXVX3X0H
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lUOilAS A. EDISOK. ISO.
wax Memo #78
iter. SI. 1984.
sr.s» r/»u8;>. «£»&';, ~ srr"1"'
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than our Suh Master W ax.
We finally suooeeded in molding a few G*[d^®d® ^obtained six so
After considerable difficulty and ;„d*oldine> Archer olaims that
called O.K. Oyilnders in, p0ured. The oooUng tin® as Aroher st
th9WaI Sfd ll 8 minutes before and 4 minutes after trimming
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PUBLICATION AND MICROFILM
COPYING RESTRICTIONS
Reel duplication of the whole or of
any part of this film is prohibited.
In lieu of transcripts, however,
enlarged photocopies of selected
items contained on these reels
may be made in order to facilitate
research.
A Note on the Sources
The pages which have been
filmed are the best copies
available. Every technical
effort possible has been
made to ensure legibility.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTORS
We thankfully acknowledge the vision and support of Rutgers University and the
Thomas A. Edison Papers Board of Sponsors.
This edition was made possible by grant funds provided from the New Jersey Historicai
Commission, National Historical Publications and Records Commtssmn and Thc Nat.ona
Endowment for the Humanities. Major underwriting has been provided by the Barkley Tun ,
through the National Trust for the Humanities, and by The Charles Edison Foundation.
We are grateful for the generous support of the IEEE Foundation, the Hyde & Watson
Foundation, the Martinson Family Foundation, and the OE Foundation. We acknowledge gifts
from many other individuals, as well as an anonymous donor; the Association of Ed son
Illuminating Companies; and the Edison Electric Institute. For the assistance of all these
organizations and individuals, as well as for the indispensable aid of archivists, librarians,
scholars, and collectors, the editors are most grateful.
BOARD OF SPONSORS (2007)
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Richard L. McCormick
Ziva Galili
Ann Fabian
Paul Clemens
New Jersey Historical Commission
Marc Mappen
National Park Service
Maryanne Gcrbauckas
Michelle Ortwein
Smithsonian Institution
Harold Wallace
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD (2007)
Robert Friedel, University of Maryland
Louis Galambos, Johns Hopkins University
Susan Hockey, Oxford University
Thomas P. Hughes, University of Pennsylvania
Ronald Kline, Cornell University
Robert Rosenberg, John Wiley & Sons
Marc Rothenberg, Joseph Henry Papers, Smithsonian Institution
Philip Scranton, Rutgers Umversity/Hagley Museum
Merritt Roe Smith, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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